India women go 2-0 up against Korea

SOUTH KOREA PLAYED SOME AGGRESSIVE HOCKEY IN THE FINAL QUARTER BUT THE INDIAN DEFENCE STOOD TALL.

INCHEON: India women registered their second consecutive victory of their tour as they defeated the hosts South Korea 3-2 in the second match of their five-match series on Tuesday.

Goals for India were scored by Poonam Rani (6’), skipper Rani (27’) and Gurjit Kaur (32’) while Yurim Lee (10’) and Jungeun Seo (31’) scored for the hosts.

India started aggressively by making attacking forays inside the opposition’s half and were rewarded for their efforts as Poonam Rani scored to give India a sixth minute lead.

South Korea had chances in the first quarter. They were awarded two penalty corners and made a comeback into the match by converting the first one through Yurim Lee in the 10th minute to equalise.

The second quarter saw South Korea start off brightly as they won back-to-back penalty corners to put India under pressure.

With the pressure piling, it was a brilliant team move from the visitors on the counter which saw Rani find the back of the net to give team a 2-1 lead.

India conceded an early goal in the third quarter when South Korea’s Jungeun Seo scored a field goal to equalize for a second time in the match.

However, India’s forwards produced some precise passing and purpose to win a penalty corner in the 32nd minute which was well-converted by Gurjit Kaur to give the visitors the lead for the third time in the match.

It was an important last quarter in the context of the match as South Korea looked to find the equaliser while the visitors looked to hold on to the lead.

The hosts played some aggressive hockey in the final quarter but the Indian defence stood tall.

India will play their third match on Thursday.