Asia Cup Hockey: Indian colts hold Korea to 1-1 draw

18 October, Dhaka

India held their nerve till the last hooter to hold defending Champions Korea to a 1-1 draw in their first Super 4s match here at the Hero Asia Cup on Wednesday. It was Gurjant Singh’s 59th minute goal that ensured India remained in the hunt for the Hero Asia Cup Final on Sunday.

Jungjun Lee had earned Korea the 1-0 lead in the 41st minute.India opened the game patiently, rotating the ball between themselves waiting for an opening into the Korean defence. Despite the several circle penetrations, it took till the 14th minute for the first real chance to materialise, as India won the first PC of the game.

The opportunity went amiss though, Harmanpreet Singh attempting a different set piece, but a flick to injector Ramandeep Singh was blocked away by Korean defender. Earlier, Korea’s Mookyoung Lee made a brave attempt when he dribbled into India’s circle and made a diving effort to take a shot on goal. But he was wide off the mark.

After ending the first quarter in a stalemate, Korean defence continued to test the Indian forwards as they allowed little room for penetration.

Meanwhile, the Indian defence stayed resolute in their circle to deny their feisty opponents a lead. Both teams couldn’t find a successful breakthrough as they went into half-time with scoreboard reading 0-0.

Though India were attacking constantly, getting closer each time to finding a breakthrough, it didn’t help their cause with the Koreans constantly intercepting their passes.