The encounter began with a quiet first quarter, with each groups cautiously probing one another’s defence, creating probabilities however failing to transform them into objectives. The strain constructed up because the clock ticked, and it wasn’t till the second quarter that the sport witnessed its first breakthrough. Pakistan’s Abdul Shahid discovered the again of the web within the 18th minute, placing the Males in Inexperienced within the lead.
Pakistan’s captain, Umar Bhutta, had extra causes to have a good time as he was felicitated by Hockey India for reaching a outstanding milestone – that includes in his 200th worldwide match.
The match noticed its share of drama, with each groups incomes penalty corners however unable to capitalise on these set-piece alternatives. Bhutta acquired a inexperienced card within the 20th minute, whereas his group managed to take care of their 1-Zero lead at halftime.
The third quarter remained goalless, though the depth of the sport didn’t wane. A participant from the Korean facet needed to be substituted attributable to harm, including to the intrigue of the competition.
The ultimate quarter witnessed a surge in tempo as each groups pressed on the accelerator to interrupt the impasse. Nonetheless, some bodily play led to a few harm breaks, creating rigidity on the sector. Pakistan’s Aqeel Ahmad was proven a inexperienced card within the 48th minute, whereas Korea’s Park acquired the identical color three minutes later.
Within the 53rd minute, the sport’s essential second arrived when Pakistan conceded a penalty stroke. South Korea’s Jihun Yang stepped as much as the problem and efficiently transformed the stroke, levelling the rating at 1-1.
Each groups fought tooth and nail within the dying minutes, creating nice probabilities and incomes a number of extra penalty corners. Nonetheless, neither facet might discover the decisive objective, and the match led to a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
After the riveting encounter, Korea can be going through China of their subsequent match, whereas Pakistan are set to tackle Japan within the ongoing Asian Champions Trophy.
(With inputs from PTI)
