Previous to the graduation of the match on the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, India’s spot within the semifinals had been confirmed, a results of Japan’s defeat to Malaysia earlier within the day.
From the opening moments, each groups initiated the sport with excessive depth, displaying possession-oriented hockey.
Within the sixth minute, the impasse was lastly damaged by the house crew, as Nilakanta Sharma expertly guided the ball into the online following Sukhjeet Singh‘s skillful dribble previous a few defenders.
Unfazed by the aim, Korea got here up with a few possibilities of their very own however the Indian defence was as much as the duty.
Nonetheless, the Koreans didn’t take a lot time to equalise as Sunghyun Kim hammered it in after Manjae Jung’s low cross, within the 12th minute.
Within the second quarter, it was all about India as they got here up with as many as 4 possibilities and scored their second aim within the 23rd minute by way of a penalty nook.
The PC was efficiently transformed by Harmanpreet Singh, who hit the ball low to the precise of the goalkeeper earlier than beating him.
The Indians adopted that up with extra assaults, together with a PC, however to no avail, as they maintained their slim 1-Zero lead at half-time.
After the restart, Korea squandered a PC earned by way of video referral, at the same time as Amit Rohidas was green-carded.
Nonetheless, India got here up with an attacking transfer and it resulted in a subject aim by Mandeep Singh, as Shamsher Singh’s help allowed the previous to gather it comfortably and fireplace it in.
Korea obtained one other PC however skipper Jonghyun Jang’s shot went huge. It was adopted by three possibilities for India, with Karthi Selvam and Mandeep Singh coming shut, as the sport moved into the fourth quarter.
Simply two minutes into the ultimate quarter, India earned a PC, which in the end resulted in a penalty stroke. However, Harmanpreet’s try to go low in the direction of the keeper’s proper noticed his effort being denied.
A minute later, a video referral allowed Korea to achieve a PC, which resulted in it incomes three extra straight PCs. Nonetheless, Jang did not convert both of them.
India continued with their attacking intent, with a double save coming from the Korean goalie within the 50th minute off Mandeep and Sukhjeet’s photographs.
It was adopted by one other sequence of PCs for Korea, whereas additionally they opted for a evaluation for a potential PC, solely to lose it.
Lastly, within the 58th minute, Jihun Yang discovered the again of the online by way of a subject aim, holding the Indians on their toes.
Even because the Koreans regarded for the equaliser, the Indian defence managed to carry on to the one-goal lead.
India will subsequent be up in opposition to arch-rival Pakistan on Wednesday, whereas Korea, who stay within the top-four race, face Malaysia.
(With PTI Inputs)
