Uttam Singh, Harmanpreet Singh and Jarmanpreet Singh find the back of the net for India; set up Final clash against hosts China
Moqi (Hulunbuir), 17th September 2024: The Indian Men’s Hockey Team registered an emphatic 4-1 win over Korea in the Semi Final of Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2024 at the scenic Moqi Hockey Training Base in the China Daur Ethnic Park, Hulunbuir on Monday. Uttam Singh (13’) gave India the lead in the first quarter, followed by goals from Harmanpreet Singh (19’, 45+’) and Jarmanpreet Singh (32’). Jihun Yang (33’) scored the only goal for Korea.
India began the crucial Semi Final on the front foot with Abhishek, on the reverse, forcing a save from Korea’s goalkeeper Jaehan Kim in the opening minutes. Uttam kept the pressure on with a bolting run down the right wing and found Raheel, whose shot from close range was saved. While the Indian defence smothered the occasional Korean counter attack, the forwards finally broke through with Araijeet Singh smashing the ball across the goal, from the right wing, for Uttam to tap in and make it 1-0 for India in the first quarter.
India earned their first penalty corner early in the second quarter and at the second time of asking Harmanpreet sounded the backboard to double India’s lead. Korea reacted by holding onto the ball and probing down the wings in search for an opening but India fell back and defended in numbers. In possession, India continued to manufacture circle entries and threatened to score. Towards the end of the second quarter, Korea pegged India back and Yoonho Kong wrong-footed Gurjot Singh in the circle to force a mid-range save from Suraj Karkera.
Sukhjeet ensured India kept the pressure on with a deep foray into Korea’s shooting circle but couldn’t find a teammate. In the very next play, Jarmanpreet pulled an aerial pass, from Sumit on the other flank, out of the air and smacked it towards goal to see it deflect in and further increase India’s lead. Korea responded by earning a penalty corner and Jihun Yang flicked it down the middle to beat Krishan Pathak and provide a ray of hope for Keora as the scoreline read 1-3.
Both teams created goalscoring opportunities as the third quarter drew to a close but an error from Korea’s goalkeeper Jaehan Kim gifted India a penalty corner, with a second left and Harmanpreet flicked the ball hard and low to the new keeper Daewon Oh’s right and made it 4-1 in India’s favour.
India continued their dominance in the last quarter with Abhishek and Araijeet forcing saves from the keeper. However, Korea earned a penalty corner with 8 minutes left in the game but Hyeonhong Kim’s effort sailed wide of the post. India controlled the proceedings for the rest of the quarter to seal their berth in the Final of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy with a 4-1 victory.
Hero of the Match, Jarmanpreet Singh said, “We played exceptionally well today, we are happy to advance to the Final. Sumit provided me with a splendid ball for the goal and I am thankful to my roommate, who understands me so well, for setting up the goal for me.”
India will play the Final of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2024 against hosts China on Tuesday, 17th September at 1530 IST.
Matches will be live on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD in India.
by Asia Hockey
