Ordos (China), Sep 6 : A young Indian team showed fantastic temperament in vanquishing South Korea 5-3 thereby setting up a strong possibility of making it to the final of the Asian Champions Trophy being played here. India now are on top of the group with seven points from three matches followed by Pakistan and Korea. Michael Nobbs's bravehearts played at blistering pace scoring the first four goals in less than half an hour's time.
India scored through Rupinder Singh (4th), Gurwinder Singh Chandi (5th), SV Sunil (7th), Rajpal Singh (24th) to make it four for the Indians. In the meantime, Lee Nam Yong (8th, 26th) struck twice to make it 4-2 during the first half. It was Yuvraj Walmiki's strike in the 62nd minute that ensured that Indians will end up with full points although Nam Hyun Woo pulled one back two minutes from final hooter. On a day when the FIH decided to take away the rights of hosting Champions Trophy from India, the victory would certainly act as a big morale booster.
Indian coach Michael Nobbs said,”It's a great win and coming from a young side augurs well for hockey in India.” India's blitzkrieg in the first seven minutes when they scored three goals broke the back of the Korean side. Their strategy went up in smoke as they desperately tried to recover from the damage done by the Indian forwards.
The Indian forwards stretched the Korean defence on both the flanks though the goals came mainly from the left. In the third minute, India earned their first penalty corner but the Korean goalkeeper Young Moon took it on the pads as the rebound hit a Korean defender's feet. PTI
