Women's Asian Champions Trophy: India, S Korea play out draw

Saturday 19 May 2018 06:13 PM IST

by IANS

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Action from the India-South Korea match. Hockey India/Twitter

Donghae City (South Korea): India and hosts South Korea played out a 1-1 draw in a round robin match of the 5th Women's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament at the Sunrise Stadium here on Saturday.

With this draw, the Indians, led by experienced defender Sunita Lakra, go into Sunday's final against the hosts as the table toppers.

India had beaten Japan (4-1), China (3-1) and Malaysia (3-2) to book their place in the final.

Despite South Korea's high press right from the start, India managed to win the first penalty corner of the match in the fourth minute.

But Gurjit Kaur's flick was padded away by the Korean goalkeeper. Though India made forays into the striking circle, breaking the Korean defence was an uphill task.

South Korea, meanwhile, were the first to make a breakthrough when they forced an error to win a penalty corner in the opening minute of the second quarter.

Seul Ki Cheon was brilliant with her drag-flick as she struck the ball to the right corner of the goal.

After no goals by either teams in the third quarter, an infringement while attempting to defend a shot on goal by a Korean attacker saw India concede a penalty corner at the start of the fourth period.

An ambitious variation by the Koreans didn't pay off as it was off target. Almost immediately, forward Lalremsiami helped India win a penalty corner.

While Gurjit's flick rebounded off the goalkeeper's pads, Lalremsiami was quick to pick up the ball and make a diving effort to score the equaliser.

Though both teams upped their ante, they could not muster a winner.

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