Asian Champions Trophy hockey: Dominant India beat Korea to set up final vs China

India stormed into the final of Asian Champions Trophy hockey in Hulunbuir, China after beating South Korea 4-1 in a one-sided semi-final.

At the Mogi Hockey Training Base on Monday, September 16. A brace from captain Harmanpreet Singh and a goal each from Uttam Singh and Jermanpreet Singh helped India continue their dominant run in the continental tournament. India will take on China in the final on Tuesday, September 17.

India flaunted their improved ability to score field goals as Uttam and Jermanpreet found the back of the net while Harmanpreet was decisive from the penalty corners. India made 20 circle entries, four more than South Korea and dominated possession. Uttam opened the scoring for India in the first quarter, deflecting a cross from the left as India put the pressure early on the South Korean defence. Suraj Karkera was brilliant between the sticks as the young goalkeeper came up with crucial saves in the second and fourth quarters.

India have been terrific with field goals as the young forward line has stepped-up and delivered.

India began the crucial semi-final on the front foot, with Abhishek forcing a save from Korea’s goalkeeper, Jaehan Kim, on the reverse, in the opening minutes. Uttam kept the pressure on with a bursting run down the right wing and found Raheel, whose close-range shot was saved. While the Indian defence smothered the occasional Korean counterattack, the forwards finally broke through as Araijeet Singh smashed the ball across the goal from the right wing for Uttam to tap in, making it 1-0 for India in the first quarter.

India earned their first penalty corner early in the second quarter, and on the second attempt, Harmanpreet struck the backboard to double India’s lead. Korea responded by holding onto possession and probing down the wings in search of an opening, but India fell back and defended in numbers. When in possession, India continued to create circle entries and posed a constant scoring threat. Towards the end of the second quarter, Korea pushed India back, and Yoonho Kong wrong-footed Gurjot Singh in the circle, forcing a mid-range save from Suraj Karkera.

Sukhjeet ensured India kept the pressure on with a deep foray into Korea’s shooting circle but couldn’t find a teammate. In the very next play, Jarmanpreet pulled an aerial pass from Sumit on the opposite flank out of the air and smacked it towards goal, where it deflected in, further increasing India’s lead. Korea responded by earning a penalty corner, and Jihun Yang flicked it down the middle to beat Krishan Pathak, providing a ray of hope for Korea as the scoreline read 3-1 in India’s favour.

Both teams created goalscoring opportunities as the third quarter drew to a close, but an error from Korea’s goalkeeper Jaehan Kim gifted India a penalty corner with just a second left. Harmanpreet flicked the ball hard and low to the new keeper Daewon Oh’s right, making it 4-1 in India’s favour.

India continued their dominance in the last quarter with Abhishek and Araijeet forcing saves from the keeper. However, Korea earned a penalty corner with 8 minutes left in the game but Hyeonhong Kim’s effort sailed wide of the post. India controlled the proceedings for the rest of the quarter to seal their berth in the Final of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy with a 4-1 victory.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan were stunned by China in the first semi-final. The first semifinal of the day truly lived up to its billing with China posing a mega threat to Pakistan’s hopes of making the final right from the start. They were gritty in their pursuit, dominated the ball possession and created early chances. China was buoyed by the unprecedented support from the home crowd, who turned up in large numbers as it was a government holiday here for the Mooncake Festival which marks the post-autumn harvest celebrations across China.