JAKARTA, May 31: The young Indian hockey team dished out some impressive and fast-paced hockey in a Super 4s match against South Korea but an outright victory eluded them as a 4-4 draw pushed them out of the Asia Cup title race, here on Tuesday.
Malaysia’s 5-0 win over Japan early in the day meant that an outright win became a pre-requisite for India to qualify for the final.
Both India, Malaysia and Korea finished on five points each in the Super 4 stage but the Birendra Lakra-side fell behind on goal difference. Nilam Sanjeep Xess (9th minute), Dipsan Tirkey (21st), Mahesh Sheshe Gowda (22nd) and Shakthivel Mareeswaran (37th) scored for India, while Korea scored through Jang Jonghyun (13th), Ji Woo Cheon (18th), Kim JungHoo (28th) and Jung Manjae (44th).
Korea will now take on Malaysia in the final on Wednesday, while India will play Japan in the third-fourth place classification match.
In the ninth minute Nilam scored with a low flick to the right bottom corner of the net. Two minutes from the first quarter, India conceded a penalty corner and Jang Jonghyun was bang on target to draw level for Korea.
Korea made it 2-1 five minutes later through Ji Woo Cheon. India drew level three minutes later when Dipsan Tirkey converted a penalty corner. Mahesh Sheshe Gowda restored the lead a minute later. Kim JungHoo then equalised for Korea.
India restored their lead in the 37th minute through Shakthivel Mareeswaran. However, Korea equalised again when Manjae Jung deflected in a long ball. (PTI)
