by sportswire4u.blogspot.com
NEW DELHI, DEC 10
Korea shattered the hopes of India to qualify for
quarter-final from pool C by playing a 3-3 draw in the Hero Hockey Junior World
Cup being played at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium here today. By splitting
points from this match, India and Korea were tied with four points each. India
were leading by 2-1 in the first half.
However, Korea pipped the hosts on better goal
difference. Korea scored 12 goals and conceded 10 while India got 8 goals in
favour and 8 against. Netherlands with nine full points from three matches
topped this pool and were the first team to qualify for quarter-final.
The last
match of pool play between India and Korea was eagerly expected by the Indian
fans and media. The local team absolutely needed to win to qualify for the
quarter-finals, when a loss or even a draw would push Korea through.
India were
immediately on the attack and forced a penalty-corner in the 3rd minute, but
Lee Seyoung easily saved the low drag flick. Korea were equally unsuccessful on
their first penalty-corner when You Seungju crashed his powerful drag-flick on
the crossbar. The match was launched on a high tempo and the crowd was in for a
thriller!
Korea
had another penalty-corner opportunity but You Seungju was again a tad too high.
He however managed to make the necessary adjustment and was on target in the
16th minute, silencing the crowd with a flick over the head of Sushant Tirkey
in the Indian goal.
Atmosphere
was hot in the stands and on the pitch and Korea picked up two yellow cards in
the battle. They did not seem bothered by the situation and even created a good
scoring chance while playing short two men. India saw many of their passes
going astray and wasted another corner chance before Gurjinder Singh was
finally on target on yet another penalty-corner three minutes from time.
India
forced another penalty-corner literally in the last second of the period, and
Gurjinder Singh send the crowd into raptures with his second strike of the
night to give his team a one-goal lead and a glimpse of a possible
qualification for the quarter-finals going into the
break.
With
Korea back at full strength, play was intense and exciting. India earned
another penalty-corner on a video-referral but Gurjinder Singh changed his
option and propelled the ball wide. The crowd did not need to wait too long as
Mandeep Singh scored in the 45th minute, this time from the field.
The
Indian players were now on a roll and Korea had trouble keeping their head
above water. Lee Seyoung in the Korean goal was peppered left and right but the
Indians did not manage to deepen the gap, leaving the door opened for a Korean
come-back. It happened in the 58th and 60th minute, with two more
penalty-corners by You Seungju for a hat-trick that suddenly reversed the
dynamic of the match.
Now
obliged to score, India depleted their defense and Korea had an open-net chance
but Ji Woocheon incredibly missed his deflection. The end of match was torrid
for the Korean defense but they survived the final rush and were soon dancing
to celebrate their qualification for the quarter-finals, while the Indian
players were dejected, rueing their missed opportunities early in second
period.
A delighted Kim Young Kyu, coach of the Korean team
spoke to media and said, “ the team’s performance was very good and they played
very mature game. In the first half, they were under pressure and made some
mistakes. But they came back very strong in the second half of the game. I am
very happy to be in quarters and eagerly awaiting the next match.”
Mr
Gregg Clark, Indian coach said, “We are highly disappointed with the team’s
performance. It was a must win game for us hence we had made some changes in
the team as well. There was lot of pressure on the team. Last thirteen minutes
changed the entire game for us. We need to improve aspects like control over
ball. Korea played really well. They are penalty specialists and leverage their
capability well.”
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