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Kuantan: Starting with a rousing win over Japan in their opening outing of the fourth Asian Champions Trophy, India are looking for variations beyond ace shooter Rupinder Pal Singh’s penalty corner flicks when they take on South Korea in Kuantan on Saturday. Bracing for tougher matches against former Asian champions South Korea and arch sub-continental hockey rivals Pakistan over the next two days, the Indians are pleased with the goal-scoring prowess exhibited in the 10-2 win over Japan. Penalty corner variations are on the mind of coach Roelant Oltmans, whose choice of players for this first tournament after the Olympic Games was restricted due to the V.R. Raghunath’s injury and the absence of young shooter Harmanpreet Singh, who is captaining the squad preparing for Junior World Cup to be hosted by India in December. Jasjeet Singh Kular, recalled to the squad after missing the Olympics, is the other main option available to the coach, but he did not come into the frame often in the first outing, primarily because Rupinder was on fire scoring as many as six goals. “It wasn’t that we were only looking for goals from Rupinder yesterday,” said coach Oltmans. “We tried some variations also, but could not match Rupinder’s precise shooting.” “We have some ideas for future games and they go beyond Rupinder’s flicks. Yesterday, the ball was coming slow for Jasjit, but we still tried some variations,” Oltmans said. There was a heavy downpour ahead of the Indian match against Japan last evening, which even interrupted the previous match between hosts Malaysia and Pakistan. Rupinder converted his initial four penalty corner shots in the first 19 minutes of play and then came back to add two more goals to his name. This was the first time Rupinder has scored six goals in an international fixture and is eager to boost his tally in the forthcoming matches. He was already India’s highest goal-scorer this year and these six goals took his tally to 13 goals from 21 matches in 2016, which include two from penalty strokes. The 10 goals against Japan were India’s highest since they scored nine against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup three years ago. “I was here with the Indian team when they scored nine against Bangladesh and eight against Oman three years ago,” said Oltmans. “Japan are a much higher ranked team than those two rivals, so I am quite pleased.” Oltmans is happy at the manner in which his players went out looking for goals in the first outing. “It’s our first international tournament since the Olympics. Against Japan, we had seven goals in the first half and added three more,” he said. Oltmans said India came here with the intent of showcasing their goal-scoring prowess. “We need to see the players perform in the field. We’ve got a good start and look forward to a a fine show in the next two games against South Korea and Pakistan,” the coach said. “Every opponent is the same and we will play our usual attacking game. Right now, we are focused on the match against South Korea after which we will prepare for the game against Pakistan,” added Oltmans.
Asian Champions Trophy 2016, highlights: India held to a 1-1 draw by South Korea
Starting with a rousing win over Japan in their opening outing of the fourth Asian Champions Trophy, India are looking for variations beyond ace shooter Rupinder Pal Singh’s penalty corner flicks when they take on South Korea in Kuantan on Saturday.
 "Asian Champions Trophy 2016, highlights: India held to a 1-1 draw by South Korea")
Goodbye!
So there you have it folks! An exciting game of hockey punctuated by two goals from both teams. Always on the offensive, India and South Korea were far from defensively sound. But the games to come may help both teams settle into a rhythm and step their game up. That’s all for now from FirstpostSports. Hope you enjoyed this Liveblog as much as we did!
Sundeep Misra says
It was a struggle after the initial forays by India and it could so easily have been won by Korea but Sreejesh saved two shots holding the match to a draw.
India now play Pakistan in the BIG GAME tomorrow,
Full time!
It’s not given. Korea have a free hit. but the hooter goes as India and Korea have battled to a 1-1 draw. Both share points. India now have 4 points from two matches while Korea have their first point in the ACT.
One minute to go!
It’s down to less than a minute…they are still 1-1…
Two minutes and counting!
Less than 3 mins to go, can India or Korea find a winner?
SAVE!
Sreejesh makes a crucial stop to keep it 1-1 with 8 minutes to go.
Chance!
With less than 10 mins in the match, Surender gets a green card and Korea earn their 3rd PC.
So close for India, says Sundeep Misra
Chinglensana in the perfect position but deflects onto the Korean GK’s pads. What an opportunity! Great reflexes by the GK.
Q3 ends. India have increased the tempo in their game after scoring the all-important equaliser. Q4 coming up next. #INDvKOR #ACT2016
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) October 22, 2016
Final 15 minutes
India have another quarter to make it 2 out of 2 in the Asian Champions Trophy. Can they make something out of this situation now?
Sundeep Misra says,
India believe they have a penalty corner and have asked for a referral. They get it and it is India’s 2nd PC. The flick is powerful but sails out as Rupinder Pal misses. It’s also the end of the 3rd quarter.
Penalty Corner for India
Rupinder Pal misses the goal all together as the score remains 1-1 at the end of 3rd quarter.
India being wasteful
Game is being stretched to both ends. India need to make chances count. Anybody who takes the lead can dictate the pace of the game.
Wasted opportunities
India wasting a few opportunities with stray shots into the Korean circle. Koreans are fast and waiting on the counters. Taeil Hwang almost gets the 2nd goal but Sreejesh saw it coming and advanced cutting the angle, says Sundeep Misra
Penalty corners galore
Korea get their 1st PC of the match. But the shot hits Surender and goes for a 2nd penalty corner. Kim Hyengojin’s shot goes wide.
Another chance!
Another sharp chance but Uthappa cannot control and the ball hits the outside netting.
Chance!
India come close. Akashdeep’s shot reaches Ramandeep who can’t control the ball as it goes over the touch line. Close call that!!
GOAL! What a start by India as Lalit scores to make it 1-1. Game on! #asianchampionstrophy2016 https://t.co/WCMsyi96AO
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) October 22, 2016
Game on!
India have equalised. Great work in the circle as Lalit Upadhyay turns around brilliantly and lets loose a reverse shot into the Korean goal. India 1 Korea 1.
Q3
The action begins in the India Vs Korea game at the Asian Champions Trophy. Korea is leading 1-0 and India have a fight on their hands.
Q3 begins!
What can India change as they trail South Korea 0-1 at the start of the third quarter
India has been wasteful in front of goal
The Koreans have come back strongly into the match after the initial space given to the Indians. The only difference was that against Japan they scored from the early chances and against Korea they couldn’t put it away including a wasted penalty corner.
Half-time
India hold the ball in their corner for almost 30 seconds to run down the clock. It’s the break and Korea lead 1-0, says Sundeep Misra
Korea tactically shading it, says Sundeep Misra
Korea trying to lessen the pace in the midfield and build up counters. Surprising because Koreans are immensely fast. But to keep the Indian forwards away, they are holding and moving through the middle. Tactically, Korea are at the moment better than India.
Much better from India
Much better from India to get the ball out of their box and counter South Korea. Score 0-1 #asianchampionstrophy2016 https://t.co/WCMsyi96AO
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) October 22, 2016
Korea hitting India on the counter
India is losing the ball just outside the Korean circle, creating counters against themselves. Korea defenders trying to get to the ball before the Indian forwards can get their stick to the ball. India looking a bit ragged after that huge win against Japan, says Sundeep Misra
Penalty Corner debate
Korea get their 1st PC of the game. But the Indians have gone to the video umpire who rules in their favour. So no PC to Korea.
2nd quarter begins
And India earn their 1st PC of the match. Korean goalkeeper makes an easy save of a flick that was direct, says Sundeep Misra
Penalty corner
Penalty corner for India! Can they make something off it?
1st quarter update
At the end of 1st quarter India trail 0-1 to South Korea in the #asianchampionstrophy2016
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) October 22, 2016
Catch all LIVE updates: https://t.co/WCMsyi96AO
End of 1st quarter
It’s the end of the 1st quarter. South Korea lead 1-0. India must be wondering about the space conceded in the last four minutes of the quarter.
CHANCE!
Yet another chance for Korea but Inwoo Seo scoops the ball over the Indian goal. India getting beaten on the counter.
CHANCE!
Yet another chance for Korea but Inwoo Seo scoops the ball over the Indian goal. India getting beaten on the counter.
India shouldn’t panic.
They have territorial advantage. All they need to do is keep pressing in the Korean half, says our correspondent from Kuantan, Sundeep Misra
Sundeep Misra says, error in the pass by Rupinder gives Korea a counter and they attack and get the GOAL….through Junwoo Jeong. Korea lead 1-0
Korea score!
India down by a goal after a fantastic touch at the far post puts the Koreans in the lead! Sloppy play by India at the back.
Chance!
CHANCE! South Korea should have capitalised on that error but the score remains 0-0! #asianchampionstrophy2016 https://t.co/WCMsyi96AO
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) October 22, 2016
Our hockey correspondent Sundeep Misra has his say on proceedings
Affan Yousuf coming close but a lovely bit of stick work cleared out by the Korean defence. India holding the ball in the midfield not letting the Koreans in yet.
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