India women upset holders South Korea
Three goals in three minutes by Gurjit Kaur (54, 55 mins) and Vandana Katariya (56) in the final quarter helped the Indian women’s hockey team outplay defending champions South Korea 4-1, at the GBK Hockey Field here, ensuring their place in the semi-finals.
The team continued its unbeaten run in the Asian Games as it set itself up to top the five-team Pool B and avoid Japan in the semis. India only needed a draw to make the lastfour grade and they looked on course even after South Korea’s Yurim Lee (21) scored to cancel out the opener struck by Navneet Kaur in the 16th minute.
Playing true to their reputation as Asia Cup champions and also the highest-ranked team in the continent, India produced a very composed and confident performance in their third Pool B match. India took lead when Navneet Kaur put them ahead in the 16th minute, but within five minutes defending champions Korea restored parity through Lee.
The match turned on its head in the final quarter when the Indians scored three quick-fire goals in as many minutes to make it look like a comprehensive win. The tie was expected to be a tough one for the Rani Rampal-led side and team struggled in the opening minutes.
The Koreans managed to create openings in quick successions in the early exchanges and India had to wait till the 12th minute for their first chance. Neha Goyal made a darting run on the left flank inside the striking circle, but her pass could not be met by any of her teammates.
The first quarter ended goalless as both teams failed to capitalise on chances.
The two teams scored a goal each in the second quarter and at half-time, the scoreboard read one-all. Both India and Korea tried their best to break the deadlock in the third quarter, but to no avail. Then came the turnaround in the match as India scored back-to-back goals in the last quarter to dash Korea’s hopes.
India will now play their fourth and last Pool B match against Thailand on Monday. Victory will seal their place at the top of the table, which could see them book a semi-final berth against Malaysia, currently placed second in Pool A.
The Indian men’s team will play its fourth Pool A match against South Korea on Sunday and victory in that match will not only assure them a place in the semis but also the top spot in Pool A, which will help them potentially avoid arch-rivals Pakistan in the last-four stage