India lose to Korea in Johor Cup hockey
Johor Bahru (Malaysia): India suffered a shocking defeat as Korea rode on captain Yang Ji Hun’s superb hat-trick to script a remarkable come-from-behind 6-4 victory in their opening match of the U-21 Sultan of Johor Cup hockey tournament here today. Down 0-4 at the breather, a valiant Korea pumped in as many as half a dozen goals in the second half to dash India’s hopes at the Taman Daya stadium. After dominating the opening period, India panicked and frittered away the four goal advantage within 12 minutes in the second half. For the Koreans, Yang (39th, 48th, 56th) converted three penalty corners while Yoon Dong Hyeo (41st, 42nd) scored two field goals with Hwang Taei (59th) completing the scoreline with another set piece. Mylaram Sampath Kumar opening the scoring for India as early as in the fourth minute, converting his team’s first penalty corner. Malak Singh (16th, 29th) two field goals tripled the scoreline and then Talwinder Singh (31st) made it 4-0 for the Indians just four minutes from the breather. India will face fromidable Australia in their next round robin league match tomorrow, while Korea will take on Pakistan. (PTI)
Al Sadd win Asian CL title
JEONBUK: Al Sadd won their first Asian Champions League title by stunning Jeonbuk Motors 4-2 on penalties following an enthralling 2-2 extra-time draw on Saturday. Al Sadd goalkeeper Mohamed Saqr saved two penalties in the shootout with Nadir Belhadj scoring the winning kick to seal the $1.5 million first prize and a place at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan next month. Qatar’s Al Sadd were under pressure throughout the final at Jeonbuk’s World Cup stadium but defended bravely and took two of their few chances to seal an unlikely triumph at the end of a campaign that began in the qualifiers in February. Heavy favourites Jeonbuk, roared on by a passionate 41,805 home crowd, looked stronger at the start and deservedly took the lead through their Brazilian playmaker Eninho in the 19th minute. The Brazilian was brought down on the edge of the area by Wesam Rizik but picked himself up to fire a sharp, curling, right-foot free kick into the corner of the net past a motionless Saqr. The Koreans failed to build on their early lead and the Qataris went level 10 minutes later thanks to an own goal by defender Sim Woo-yeon. (Agencies)