Asian Champions Trophy: India beat South Korea to reach final, to face Japan today
The Indian hockey team has secured a place in the title clash of the Asian Champions Trophy by defeating South Korea 8-1. India will face Japan this evening in Mohali.
During the second semi-final of the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament, India entered the final with a massive 8-1 victory over the South Korean team. This evening, India and Japan will clash for the gold medal.
This title clash will begin at 7 pm at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali. Earlier at 4 pm, South Korea and Malaysia will face each other for the bronze medal.
In the match against Korea, Shilanand Lakra opened India's account in the 4th minute with a field goal. Sungjun Han equalised for the Korean team in the 9th minute, but the Indian team launched continuous attacks immediately after.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh put the ball into the net through a penalty corner in the 9th minute. Thereafter, Shilanand Lakra scored the second goal via a penalty corner in the 13th minute. Following this, Sukhjeet Singh and Dilpreet Singh scored a goal each within the 21st minute, while Dilpreet struck again in the 25th minute to extend the team's lead to 6-1.
In the second half, Angad Bir Singh in the 36th minute and Vivek Sagar Prasad in the 54th minute scored goals to take India's score to 8-1. Dilpreet Singh, who displayed a brilliant performance, was adjudged ‘Man of the Match’.
Earlier in the first semi-final, no goals were scored by either side during regulation time. Ultimately, during the penalty shootout, Japan edged past Malaysia 5-3 to book their ticket to the final.
The Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Stadium is hosting an international hockey match for the first time. Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Dr Balbir Singh, Lok Sabha MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, MLA Kulwant Singh and several former Olympians and players were present to watch the semi-final match.
Key developments
- India defeated South Korea by a margin of 8-1 in the semi-final
- The final between India and Japan will take place today, November 5, at 7 pm in Mohali
- The match for the bronze medal between Malaysia and South Korea will be held at 4 pm
- Dilpreet Singh was declared Man of the Match for scoring two goals
