New Delhi: India won a thrilling Group B encounter against South Korea 3-2 in the Asia Cup hockey tournament in Chennai on Monday. With this win they are virtually guarenteed of a semi-final berth.
A star guest at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadiun in Chennai, Sunil Shetty's presence seemed to have rubbed off on defending champions Korea. They were on attack mode straightaway.
The Koreans took the lead in the eighth minute with drag flick expert Jang Jong doing the trick.
Out of the blue, the Indians equalised; a corner hit finding Shivender Singh and his first time defelction catching the goalkeeper off guard in the 20th minute.
Korea were back in the lead seven minutes later; poor defending seeing Kang Seong swivel and fire home in one swift motion.
But India equalised again with Ignace Tirkey deflecting a free hit to make it 2-2.
At the stroke of half-time, India took the lead for the first time in the match as the korean defence was caught napping and an unmarked Prabhjot Singh sent a hit crashing into the net.
Korea mounted pressure in the second half, but the Indian defence held firm.
And with little coordination though between the midfield and the forward line; chances went abegging.
But this is what mattered: India held out for a 3-2 win. They are now virtually in the semis after winning all three matches in group B so far.
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