Preview: India will look to continue their winning run as they face defending champions South Korea in their first match of the second round in the Asia Cup hockey championship here on Wednesday. After three successive wins in the pool stage, Sjoerd Marijne’s wards are prepared to begin their four-game round-robin stage (Super 4s) comprising four teams. Malaysia and Pakistan are the other teams in the second round. [caption id=“attachment_4144529” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
File photo of Indian hockey team. AP[/caption] South Korea are fighting a battle of their own with huge pressure on them for qualifying for the 2018 FIH World Cup. India have registered convincing wins against Japan (5-1), Bangladesh (7-0) and Pakistan (3-1). Indian forwards SV Sunil, Akashdeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh are in good form and the midfielders such as SK Uthappa and Manpreet Singh are linking up with the defence and attack line smoothly. Marijne has put centre-half Sardar in the backline to make up for the lack of experience among the defenders and the former captain has been performing his role as a free-moving player nicely. “We got off to a good start in the tournament though I would have liked to see a better performance against Pakistan, it’s good to have won all the three matches,” Marijne said on Wednesday on the sidelines of the team’s training session. “In the Super 4s too, we will have a similar approach which is to take one match at a time and right now the focus is on the match against Korea,” stated the Dutchman. South Korea suffered one loss against Malaysia but won against China and Oman to make the Super 4s. With a good penalty corner conversion rate and high quality counter attack, India need to be patient against them, cautioned Marijne. “It will be an interesting match. We need to be patient and have good control. It’s important for us to focus on our own structure. They are good in counter and we need to be aware of that when we play against them,” he added. The last time India played South Korea was in Kuantan, Malaysia during the Asian Champions Trophy in October 2016. The match boiled down to a penalty shoot-out after they drew 2-2 in regulation time in the semi-final. India then had gone on to beat Pakistan in the final. But here, South Korea will be under pressure as they are the only team in the Super 4s who have not qualified for the World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India.
Highlights, India vs Korea, Hockey Match Result, Asia Cup 2017: Gurjant Singh's last-minute goal secures draw
Catch Live score and updates from 2017 Hockey Asia Cup clash between India and South Korea in Dhaka
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Even though Indians are reveling in the Diwali celebrations, the game lacked firecrackers but it still had moments of spark. Terrific game of tactical hockey as both team fought hard to find the opening goal.
Korea’s 41’ minute goal put India behind. Leaving them with no choice but to throw everything they had, and eventually Gurjant Singh’s last-minute equaliser stole a point for his side. An important one too.
We had fun bringing you all the coverage, hope you had it too. Until next time it is goodbye from us and wish you a very Happy Diwali!
That’s it from the Maulana Bhasani Stadium.
India have drawn 1-1 with South Korea.
Tough game. But they salvaged a point.
They live to fight and try and win tomorrow against Malaysia.
South Korea seems to have played themselves back into the tournament.
India with lots of work to do.
They play Malaysia tomorrow.
Big Game again for India tomorrow. It’s a must win match.
India split points with Korea. One point each.
Korea was brilliant today.
India fought back.
And got the equaliser with less than a minute to go.
India needs to hang on. Keep the ball.
And they do.
It’s a 1-1 draw.
GOALLLLLL!
India get the equaliser.
Time running out.
Can they get a hit in?
Tense. Entire team watching the video replay on the giant screen.
Will they get it?
And that’s not a penalty corner.
Korea survive. India want an equaliser.
Taking too much time again, the video replays.
One understands that it has to be 100 percent sure.
But it kills the game completely.
India are asking for a penalty corner. Video referral on.
Can India get a last chance to equalise?
South Korea lead 1-0.
India have pulled off their goalkeeper.
Harmanpreet has the yellow bib.
Time running out for India now.
They can at best salvage a draw.
But the clock is ticking.
Under 5 mins left.
India need an equaliser.
And Akashdeep misses a sharp chance.
This match has been extremely tight.
Just one PC for India.
None for Korea.
One chance for Korea and they scored.
India now resorting to hitting balls into the Korean striking circle.
But that’s not going to work.
India rotating the ball too much.
They need to take a few risks.
Too many miss passes by the Indians. Under pressure now to find an equaliser.
And Korea playing with 8 at the back.
Terrible error again from Varun Kumar.
Completely misread the flight.
Can India get back with a goal in the 4th quarter?
The way they are playing, it’s tough.
India look at sea when not playing with breaks.
But tactically Korea has a grip on the match.
India will go out. But that should also give Korea more chances.
And that’s the end of the 3rd quarter.
South Korea lead 1-0. In the drivers seat firmly.
India needs an equaliser to get at least a point.
South Korea now firmly control the match.
India hanging too much on the ball. The 1st touch play not happening.
South Korea lead 1-0.
South Korea lead 1-0.
It will be tough for India.
Unless Korea open up some space.
Varun Kumar not reading the situation was expensive.
GOAL!!
Korea have scored.
Varun Kumar error as he lets a tap go past as Jungjun Lee scores.
Possession. Possession.
And when India get the opportunity, Akashdeep fluffs it with not trapping.
Indians not getting an inch of space.
Korea playing their best match of the tournament.
India losing grip on the match.
They are getting frustrated by the crowding tactics of South Korea.
No space given by the Korean defence.
And a through ball not stopped by Gurjant.
Simple error or a move could decide the first goal now.
Five minutes already gone in the 3rd quarter.
And it’s as tight as Fort Knox.
This is tight. Man to man marking.
India trying to extricate themselves.
Indian forwards losing the ball to silly errors.
Silly error gives possession to Korea.
And they go looking to control and have possession.
And there they go.
India and South Korea, searching for that elusive first goal.
Two quarters left.
Teams coming back now.
Two quarters left. Who will break the deadlock?
India had one PC. But the indirect conversion was saved by a Korean defender.
India need to pull out a few tricks from their bag.
It will be interesting to note what Marinje comes up with.
Both teams are solid in defence.
But Korea playing with a midfield that is constantly back pedalling.
India have had few opportunities.
Korea had two strikes. Both saved by Chikte.
And that’s the break.
It’s been intense. But without the frills, dash and skills.
Both teams have a safety first attitude. Slightly surprising that coming from India.