The men’s field hockey competition has reached the semi-final stage with the qualifiers determined for the semi-final come-off on Sunday. Pakistan and India
entered the semi-final through group B; while Malaysia and Korea made the grade through pool A. India maintained an unbeaten record in four matches after 4-0 victory over Japan in four. India already had qualified for the semi-final even before Sunday’s match
and is now at the top with 12 points.
India after winning a match by 3-2 over Pakistan on Saturday came up with new strength and show against Japan and controlled the match in the second half. In
the first half of the game Japan’s position was better as Sakamoto linked a pass from Ono Tomonori deflecting the ball by sticking out his left hand. India recovered through an equalizer within ten minutes by Rajpal Singh.
India took the lead of the game immediately after the second half, as Sandeep Singh a drag flicker showing his best, scored two goals from penalty corners. Japan
put a great effort to equalise but Indian defense was solid with Sardar Singh coming out with some good interceptions and tricks.
Shunsuke, Japanese goalkeeper, demonstrated a brilliant defense when he palmed out a powerful strike of Sandeep to prevent India’s second penalty corner. In
return, Sandeep Singh converted the penalty corner and made his goal tally 10 in the tournament. From Japan’s side Sokomoto added a second goal a minute later. India was winner with 3-2 win over Japan.
India is now looking forward to face Malaysia from pool A on semi-final come-off today on 23rd November, 2:30 pm at Aoti Hockey field Guangzhou, China.
Malaysia defeated China 4-2 in their last match on Sunday. This is going to be Malaysia’s first appearance in semi-finals since the bronze medals efforts in 2002 Busan Games. Twenty-seven-years old midfielder Azlan Misron is Malaysia’s leading scorer with
six goals.
While Pakistan, the second ranked with 9 points from pool B, meets Korea in semi-final
today.
If India wins this semi-final match against Malaysia today it will just not lead them to the gold medal match but they will surely reserve a berth for the Olympics
2012 in London. International Hockey Federation will reward the champions of the Asian Games with direct entry in Olympics and India is just at sniffing distance.
Malaysia reached their first-ever final in Guangzhou as it would also take them to just one match from gaining a place in 2012 London Olympics, which is reserved
only for the gold medalists. Malaysia could not reach semi-finals in Common wealth Games 2010 in Delhi. They played against India in last CWG and were beaten 2-3.
“It was a bitter experience in New Delhi,” said Coach Stephen van Huizen.
“We played well and took the lead twice but we allowed them to come back and beat us. We will ensure that we will not make the same mistakes here.”
The thrilling semi-finals today, will decide teams of Asian Games 2010 men’s hockey finals.
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