South Korea want fifth Asia Cup title

A NEW-LOOK South Korea are serious about lifting their fifth Asia Cup title and qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India.

Malaysia, India and Pakistan have qualified for the World Cup via the World League, and only the champions of the Asia Cup in Dhaka on Oct 11-22 will earn the ticket.

The other teams fighting for the World Cup slot are Japan, China, Oman and hosts Bangladesh.

South Korea are the most successful team in Asia Cup with three of the four titles, which were won in Malaysia.

The Koreans won in 1994 Hiroshima, 1999 Kuala Lumpur, 2009 Kuantan and 2013 Ipoh. In the last edition they beat India 4-3 in the final.

In Dhaka, World No 12 Malaysia are in Group B with South Korea (No 13), China (No 18) and Oman (No 30).

In Group A are India (No 6), Pakistan (No 14), Japan (No 17) and Bangladesh (No 34).

However, the Koreans have been struggling in recent years and even lost to Malaysia 9-1 in the London World League to finish a poor ninth.

Malaysia finished fourth in London to earn their World Cup ticket on merit.

But South Korea team manager Kim Yoon Dong told the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) he is confident the defending champions will be able to exceed expectations at the Asia Cup after having seen an overhaul in the team’s composition, both management and players.

“It is true that our team have not been able to perform well in recent times. But it is because we have been going through a transition phase in the national team.

“We have made several improvements in the management, coaching staff and the players by mixing experience with youth,” said Yoon Dong on the AHF website.

Malaysian coach Stephen van Huizen is wary of the Korean threat.

“Yes we did beat them in London and are higher ranked than them, but only by one rung. We can’t take any team lightly, even though we have beaten them before,” said van Huizen.

Yoon Dong also feels the same.

“We are in a group where we have three good opponents placed against us, but I am confident that our team will strategise well to defeat all the teams.

“We have been working hard on our counter-attacks and will look to put the opposition under pressure with that.

“The mixture of youth and experience in our team creates a good atmosphere inside the dressing room, and we are ready for the title chase,” said the Korean.

Olympians Lee Seung-il (2012), Lee Nam Yong (2008, 2012) and Jang Jong-Hyun (2004, 2008, 2012) will be the players to watch in Dhaka. Jugjet Singh