The Indian Hockey Team continued their dominant run in the Asian Champions Trophy, securing a crucial 3-1 victory over Korea to book their place in the semi-finals. This win not only extended their unbeaten streak in the tournament but also showcased their blend of youth and experience, which has been pivotal in their title defence.
Early Dominance from the Indian Hockey Team
India started the match aggressively, putting Korea on the back foot from the outset. Araijeet Singh Hundal opened the scoring for India just eight minutes into the first quarter, setting the tone for the match. This early strike was quickly followed by a goal from captain Harmanpreet Singh, who delivered a powerful drag-flick just a minute later, doubling India’s lead. Harmanpreet’s goal marked his 200th international goal, a significant milestone in his illustrious career.
Korea’s Fightback
Despite India’s early dominance, Korea managed to pull one back just before halftime, injecting a sense of urgency and hope into their game. Jihun Yang, who had scored in their previous match against China, executed a fine penalty corner to narrow India’s lead to 2-1. This goal created a tense atmosphere as both teams headed into the second half.
The third quarter saw both India and Korea trading penalty corners, with each team earning four. However, only India could successfully convert one, with Harmanpreet Singh once again stepping up to restore India’s two-goal cushion. His second goal, scored off a penalty corner in the dying minutes of the third quarter, was crucial in alleviating the pressure on the Indian side.
India passes the Korean test with flying numbers🥳
Araijeet Singh Hundal scored the opening goal followed by Harmanpreet's Penalty Corner's.
We are into the Semi-Finals🥳India 🇮🇳 3-1 🇰🇷 Korea
Next up is the last match of our group stage against Pakistan on Saturday at 1:15… pic.twitter.com/mYaePXrWHm
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) September 12, 2024
The final quarter was marked by end-to-end action, with Korea making ambitious attempts to score. However, India’s defense, led by goalkeeper Suraj Karkera, held firm. Karkera, who was named the player of the match, made several scintillating saves to ensure that Korea could not capitalize on their chances. His performance was instrumental in maintaining India’s lead and securing the victory.
With this win, India not only secured their spot in the semi-finals but also set the stage for their highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. The victory further solidified India’s position as the favorites to retain their title in the tournament. The team’s mix of attacking prowess and solid defense continues to make them the team to beat in the Asian Champions Trophy.
