Hero Asia Cup 2022 Super 4’s: India drew with South Korea, to play for bronze
The young Indian team produced a spirited performance against a strong South Korean unit in the final Super 4 match played at GBK Stadium, Jakarta on Tuesday.
It was an exciting start to the match as India earned the
first penalty corner but was well saved by the Korean goalkeeper. South Korea also
moved positive moves putting some pressure on the Indian defense. Nilam Sanjeep
scored from a superb penalty corner in the 9th minute to give India a 1-0 lead. South Korea increased the pace of play before Jang converted a penalty
corner into a goal in the 13th minute to level the score at 1-1. At the
end of the first quarter, the scores remained at 1-1.
The Indian team began the second quarter on a decent note as
Pawan Rajbhar made a superb attempt, but the Korean goalkeeper made a magnificent save to
deny India the lead. Due to some poor defense, Ji Woo converted into a goal in
the 18th minute giving Korea a 2-1 advantage. India leveled the score
at 2-2 in the 21st minute with a lovely penalty corner goal by Manider
Singh. A brilliant field goal by Sheshe Gowda in the 22nd minute gave
India a 3-2 lead. South Korea showed intent with back-to-back penalty corners.
The penalty corner went wide off the goalpost. India was a man down again as
Uttam Singh was given a 2-minute suspension. Korea took advantage as Kim Jung scored
from a close range in the 28th minute leveling the scores at 3-3.
At the end of the first half, the scores remained 3-3.
South Korea began the third quarter on an aggressive note
but there were no shots on goal. Kim was awarded a green card meaning Korea
was down to 10 men. Mareeswaran scored from a brilliant pass inside the circle
in the 37th minute to give India a 4-3 lead. India went down one man
with Siwach being awarded a yellow card for 5 minutes.
Uttam Singh missed a golden chance as the shot went over the
goalpost. South Korea was awarded a penalty corner but on review, the decision
was overturned. Jung Manjae produced another superb field goal in the 44th
minute helping South Korea to level the score at 4-4 and ended the third quarter
with the same scoreline.
The fourth quarter saw both teams no shots on goal. Most of the
action happened in the middle of the pitch. Siwach came back after the yellow
card. Needing to win for a final berth, India made efforts in the dying moments
with two reviews. The first one was successful, but in the second one South Korean
goalkeeper made a superb effort.
With a thrilling 4-4 draw, South Korea moved into the finals
with a better goal difference. Malaysia, India, and South Korea had the same
number of points, but Malaysia and South Korea made it into the finals.
India will play for the bronze medal against Japan tomorrow.
The young Indian side played their best hockey and would be looking to end the
tournament on a high.
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