India power past South Korea

Chennai
September 3, 2007

India 3 South Korea 2

Defending champions India virtually assured themselves of a semi-final berth beating Asian Games Champions South Korea 3-2 in a pulsating Pool B match here on Monday. India now has nine points. They have won three matches out of three while Korea has six points out of three games.
India now plays Bangladesh and Thailand, two matches they should win easily and top Pool B.
It was expected to be a close game and when Korea took the lead in the 9th minute off their second penalty corner, India seemed to panic for a while as they lost possession in the midfield with errors coming in fast. India had three penalty corners and in the 20th minute a free hit from the flank saw the ball burn the turf before Shivender Singh, delicately laid his stick on the turf and angle the ball past the goalkeeper Ko Dong Sik. It was enough for the 8000 strong crowd to erupt in celebration.
India had a few close calls but the defence managed to clear and put the midfield through on counter-attacks. But the fluency in the forward-line was still missing.
South Korea showed why they are the masters of the free hit when in the 28th minute Oh Dae Keun latched onto the free hit, turned in a flash and brilliantly shot in a flyer that beat Baljit Singh hands down. It was a superb piece of opportunism. Shocked, India went into a shell as the midfield and the defence tried to regroup.
It was slow progress as India re-grouped. Ignace led the midfield as Bimal Lakra pushed on the right flank with Tushar, Rajpal, Shivender, darting in and around the Korean striking circle.
In the 31st minute, India turned the game around. Prabodh Tirkey moved up, desperately trying to find the gaps and he spotted Ignace Tirkey lurking on the top of the striking circle. Prabodh’s hit was hard and Ignace darting into the circle past the Korean defender deflected it for the equalizer.
Korea had a few runs into the Indian circle but in the 34th minute, Bimal Lakra snatched the ball away on the right flank at the midway mark. Moving into the Korean half, he spotted Prabhjot Singh, unmarked on top of the Korean striking circle. Bimal’s pass was perfect and so was Prabhjot’s trap. Turning around, Prabhjot moved a few steps inside the striking circle and unleashed a reverse-hit that beat the Korean goalkeeper all ends up.
At the break, India led 3-2
Korea had four penalty corners in the second half, three of them consecutive but they couldn’t convert any. The Indian defence, though shaky at times, managed to stave off the Koreans. The forwards had their chances but Tushar, Rajpal and Shivender were either late on the crosses or fumbled in the Korean striking circle.
Indian coach Joaquim Carvalho was happy with the team’s performance. “They played well and we hope to keep the momentum going.”
Ignace Tirkey who won the man-of-the-award also said that he would put his best efforts into taking the team into the finals. “We are the defending champions and we should ensure that the Asia Cup remains in India,” said Ignace.
India now play Bangladesh on Tuesday and a win, which is expected, would cement a place in the semi-finals from Pool B.

Score Sheet:

Jang Jong Hyun (9th, PC) 1-0
Shivender Singh (21st, FG) 1-1
Oh Dae Keun (28th, FG) 2-1
Ignace Tirkey (31st, FG) 2-2
Prabhjot Singh (35th, FG) 3-2
 

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