India continued their undefeated streak in the Hero Asian Hockey Champions Trophy with an impressive 3-1 victory against Korea at the Moqi Hockey Training Base. The match, held on Thursday, was India’s fourth consecutive win, further solidifying their dominance in the tournament. With this victory, the defending champions maintained their top position, securing their place in the semifinals.
Harmanpreet Singh Shines with a Brace
Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh was the standout performer, scoring two crucial goals in the match. The first came in the 9th minute, following an earlier goal by young talent Araijeet Singh Hundal in the 8th minute. This quick double-strike put India in a strong position early on in the game, leaving Korea on the back foot.
Hundal’s goal was the result of a brilliant assist by Vivek Sagar Prasad, who delivered a precise cross pass that Hundal capitalized on, sending the ball into the net from the top of the circle. Just a minute later, Harmanpreet extended India’s lead to 2-0 with a powerful shot from a penalty corner (PC). This marked a significant milestone for the Indian skipper, as it was his 200th international goal, further cementing his legacy in Indian hockey.
Korea Fights Back with Determination
Despite the early setback, Korea was determined not to let India dominate the game. After a shaky start in the first quarter, Korea found their rhythm and began to challenge the Indian defense. They showcased tactical discipline, successfully limiting India’s ball possession and launching a series of counter-attacks. Their efforts paid off in the 30th minute when they earned a penalty corner. Jihun Yang, who had previously scored in Korea’s 3-2 victory against China, delivered a well-executed shot to narrow India’s lead to 2-1.
India’s Resilience and Strategic Play
The third quarter was a closely contested period, with both teams earning an equal number of penalty corners—four each. However, only India managed to capitalize on their opportunity. In the 43rd minute, Harmanpreet Singh once again found the back of the net with a powerful drag flick, restoring India’s two-goal cushion and making the score 3-1. India displayed great patience and tactical awareness in this quarter, constructing a compact attack while ensuring that they maintained control of the game.
Krishan Pathak, India’s goalkeeper, played a pivotal role in maintaining the lead, making crucial saves to prevent Korea from scoring. His excellent goalkeeping kept Korea at bay, allowing India to retain their advantage.
Korea’s Final Push Falls Short
In the final quarter, India dominated possession and employed a half-press strategy, which created opportunities for potential counter-attacks. Korea, eager to level the score, made several attempts to breach the Indian defense, but their efforts were thwarted by India’s solid backline. Suraj Karkera, who took over as goalkeeper in the last quarter, played a vital role in ensuring that India did not concede any further goals. His performance earned him the title of “Hero of the Match.”
Looking Ahead: India vs. Pakistan
With this victory, India remains unbeaten and full of confidence as they prepare to face their arch-rivals Pakistan in the next match. The Indian team is focused on maintaining their winning momentum and looks forward to another challenging encounter.
Reflecting on the match, Hero of the Match, Suraj Karkera, acknowledged Korea’s strength, stating, “Korea is no easy team to beat, but our mantra today was to defend well. The coach has given us the freedom to play our game without pressure. We have trained alongside Sreejesh for years, and although it’s a big responsibility to fill his shoes, we always strive to give our best.”
India’s consistent performance in the tournament has set the stage for an exciting semifinal, where they will aim to continue their journey towards defending their title.
India’s Path to Glory in the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy
India’s 3-1 victory against Korea showcased their dominance in the Hero Asian Champions Trophy. With key players like Harmanpreet Singh and Araijeet Singh Hundal leading the charge, India has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in this tournament. As they gear up for their next challenge against Pakistan, the team will aim to keep their winning streak alive and march towards yet another championship title.
