MOQI, (China) Sep 12: Defending Champions India remained unbeaten in the Hero Asian Champions Trophy as they registered their fourth consecutive victory with a 3-1 win against Korea here at the Moqi Hockey Training Base on Thursday.
Skipper Harmanpreet Singh (9’, 43’) scored a brace in India’s win while Araijeet Singh Hundal (8’) gave an early lead in the team’s win.
Having already booked a place in the semifinals, India looked to continue their winning ways against Korea in their penultimate league-stage match. The defending champions showcased this intent very early in the match with a stupendous 8th minute goal by Araijeet Singh Hundal. It was a fierce cross pass by Vivek Sagar Prasad that was picked up well by Hundal from the top of the circle to scoop it in. In the following minute, Skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored from a PC to extend India’s lead to 2-0. This was Harmanpreet’s 200th international goal.
Korea, who registered a fantastic 3-2 win against hosts China to climb up to second spot in the points table, were not going to let India have it easy. After shaking off the nerves in the first quarter, Korea bounced back with tactical defense, curbing Indian attackers from keeping the ball possession. In the last seven minutes of the second quarter, they punished India with interjections and counter attacks, eventually setting up a PC in the 30th minute of the match. Jihun Yang, who had scored a goal in their win against China yesterday, came up with a fine PC execution to narrow India’s lead to 2-1.
The third quarter saw both India and Korea trade equal number of PCs with each earning four. However, only India could successfully put one in the net, with Harmanpreet coming up with a powerful dragflick to fetch his team a strong 3-1 lead. India played this quarter patiently, and constructed a compact attack to stay ahead of a tactful Korea. Meanwhile, Krishan Pathak held sway at the goalpost to keep Korea from scoring.
The final quarter saw India do well as they dominated with ball possession, and resorted to half-press that led to potential counter attacks. Though Korea made ambitious attempts to score, Suraj Karkera did well in the goalpost to ensure India don’t concede a goal. India will take on arch-nemesis Pakistan in their next encounter.
Malaysia beat Japan 5-4
Malaysia edge past Japan with a 5-4 win in the ongoing Hero Asian Champions Trophy here in the Moqi Hockey Training Base on Thursday.
Goals by Syed Cholan (12’, 40’), Norsyafiq Sumantri (21’), Syarman Mat (47’) and Kamal Abu Azrai (48’) helped Malaysia win the match and climb up to No.4 in the points table.
Placed in the bottom of the pool table after losing 1-8 to India on Wednesday, Malaysia needed a win today to stay in contention for a semifinal spot.
Pakistan clinch 5-1 win against hosts China
Pakistan continued to remain unbeaten in the tournament as they registered a well-earned 5-1 win against hosts China at the ongoing Asian Champions Trophy here at the Moqi Hockey Training Base in Hulunbuir.
With this win, Pakistan have moved up to the second spot in the points table. With another day’s play remaining in the league stage, Pakistan continue to stay in contention for a spot in the semifinal.
Goals were scored by Rehman Abdul (23’), Ahmad Nadeem (36’, 56’) and Hannan Shahid (46’, 60’) in Pakistan’s win while Jiesheng Gao (48’) scored the lone goal for China.
At the end of day four at the prestigious event, India continues to lead the points table with Pakistan placed second, Korea is placed third while Malaysia have managed to squeeze past China after today’s win. (IANS)
