Defending champions India continued their winning streak in the Asian Champions Trophy as they registered their fourth consecutive victory with a 3-1 win against Korea at the Moqi Hockey Training Base in Hulunbuir, China on Thursday. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh (9’, 43’) scored a brace in India’s win while Araijeet Singh Hundal (8’) gave an early lead in the team’s win.
Having already booked a place in the semifinals, India looked to continue their winning ways against Korea in their penultimate league-stage match.
The defending champions showcased this intent very early in the match with a stupendous 8th minute goal by Araijeet Singh Hundal. It was a fierce cross pass by Vivek Sagar Prasad that was picked up well by Hundal from the top of the circle to scoop it in. In the following minute, Skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored from a PC to extend India’s lead to 2-0. This was Harmanpreet’s 200th international goal.
Korea, who registered a fantastic 3-2 win against hosts China to climb up to second spot in the points table, were not going to let India have it easy. After shaking off the nerves in the first quarter, Korea bounced back with tactical defence curbing Indian attackers from keeping the ball possession. In the last seven minutes of the second quarter, they punished India with interjections and counter attacks, eventually setting up a PC in the 30th minute of the match. Jihun Yang, who had scored a goal in their win against China yesterday, came up with a fine PC execution to narrow India’s lead to 2-1.
The third quarter saw both India and Korea trade an equal number of PCs with each earning four. However, only India could successfully put one in the net with Harmanpreet coming up with a powerful dragflick to fetch his team a strong 3-1 lead. India played this quarter patiently, and constructed a compact attack to stay ahead of a tactful Korea. Meanwhile, Krishan Pathak held sway at the goalpost to keep Korea from scoring.
The final quarter saw India do well as they dominated with ball possession, and resorted to half-press that led to potential counter attacks. Though Korea made ambitious attempts to score, Suraj Karkera did well in the goalpost to ensure India didn’t concede a goal. India will take on arch nemesis Pakistan in their next encounter.
Pakistan dominate China in 5-1 victory
Like India, Pakistan also continued their unbeaten run with a convincing 5-1 win against China, moving up to second place in the standings. Ahmad Nadeem (36′, 56′) and Hannan Shahid (46′, 60′) led Pakistan’s charge, each scoring twice. Pakistan weathered an early surge from the hosts, who created several scoring opportunities but failed to capitalize.
Rehman Abdul (23’) opened the scoring for Pakistan, and Nadeem and Shahid’s clinical finishing sealed a comprehensive victory. Despite a late goal from China’s Jiesheng Gao (48’), Pakistan’s defence remained unshaken.
Malaysia edge past Japan 5-4 in thriller
Malaysia’s determination was evident as they secured a hard-fought 5-4 win over Japan, climbing to fourth in the points table. With goals from Syed Cholan (12’, 40’), Norsyafiq Sumantri (21’), Syarman Mat (47’), and Kamal Abu Azrai (48’), Malaysia held off a resilient Japanese side.
Japan, fresh off a Sultan Azlan Shah Cup victory, responded with a valiant effort, including goals from Ken Nagayoshi (24’, 28’) and Kazumasa Matsumoto (51’). Despite Japan’s late push, Malaysia’s defense held firm to secure the win.
With one day remaining in the league stage, the race for semifinal spots heats up as teams prepare for their final pool-stage matches, promising more electrifying action in the Asian Champions Trophy.