Captain Harmanpreet Singh confirmed his brilliance by scoring two objectives within the semifinal in opposition to Korea on the Asian Champions Trophy in Hulunbuir.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Skipper Harmanpreet Singh’s chic kind resulted in twin strikes as defending champions India entered the final of the Asian Champions Trophy with a scientific 4-1 win in opposition to South Korea within the semifinal in Hulunbuir on Monday (September 16, 2024).
India scored by way of Uttam Singh (thirteenth minute), skipper Harmanpreet Singh (nineteenth, forty fifth) and Jarmanpreet Singh (thirty second), whereas Korea’s lone purpose got here from by way of Yang Jihun (thirty third)‘s penalty corner conversion.
India will take on hosts China in Tuesday’s final. Earlier within the day, China defeated Pakistan 2-0 through shoot-out within the first semifinal after the 2 groups completed 1-1 on the finish of regulation 60 minutes.
In the earlier league stage encounter between the 2 finalists, India prevailed 3-0.
Pakistan and Korea will face off within the third place classification match which may also be performed on Tuesday.
Meanwhile within the fifth-sixth place classification match, Japan beat Malaysia 4-2 in shoot-out following a 4-4 stalemate in regular time.
In the second semifinal as anticipated, the Indians began on the offensive and examined the Korean defence with persistent assaults from the phrase go.
The Koreans, then again, have been contend to sit again and defend and depend on sporadic counter assaults.
Abhishek got here tantalisingly shut to handing India the lead within the fourth minute however his reverse hit was brilliantly saved by Korean goalkeeper Kim Jaehan.
The Indian made promising construct ups and penetrated the Korean circle on constant foundation within the first quarter.
India’s attacking intent lastly paid of within the thirteenth minute when Uttam positioned himself on the proper place on the proper time to faucet in Araijeet Singh Hundal’s provide from the proper.
A minute from the primary break, Korea secured back-to-back penalty corners however failed to utilise the probabilities.
Four minutes into the second quarter, India secured their first penalty nook and Harmanpreet scored his sixth purpose of the event to hand his facet a 2-0 lead.
At the stroke of half-time, custodian Suraj Karkera got here out of his line to save an effort from the opposition participant.
India continued in the identical vein after the change of ends and prolonged their lead two minutes into the third quarter.
An excellent scoop from Sumit from the proper finds Jarmanpreet simply exterior the circle on the left flank and the latter neatly collected the ball and took a step or two to get contained in the circle and slap the ball into the Korean purpose to lengthen India’s lead.
But Korea pulled one again a minute later from a penalty nook by way of the event’s top-scorer Yang Jihun.
The purpose hardly bothered the Indians as they continued their attacking recreation and dominated the share of exchanges.
With a second left for the third quarter, India secured one other penalty nook when Korean goalkeeper Jaehan was proven the yellow card for dealing with the ball out facet the circle, and Harmanpreet made no mistake to lengthen the lead.
Eight minutes from the final hooter, India’s second goalkeeper Karkera made a tremendous double save to deny Park Cheoleon, however the Koreans secured a penalty nook which went in useless.
Thereafter, it was managed present from the Indians as they defended their lead with consummate ease to march into their fifth final look within the event.
Published – September 16, 2024 05:26 pm IST
