South Korea edges out India to lift bronze medal in Sultan of Johor Cup
The South Korean junior hockey team made sure that they would not lose the third position and managed to catch-up in the extra-time via a golden goal, winning the bronze medal in the Sultan of Johor Cup.
Yang Ji Hun not only struck the tie-breaker but also the winning shot that helped South Korea in edging past India by 4-3, on November 12, at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium, in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
Having faced Korea in the first match of the six-nation tournament, the Indian squad faced a 6-4 defeat, but was mulling to take revenge in the playoff game. However, it failed to do so and lost the fixture in the extra-time.
The two Asian teams started the game on an aggressive note from the very beginning minute of the competition. However, it was the Korean team that drew the first blood in the early part of the game.
With seven minutes into the match, You Seung Seok registered the first score for South Korea, sending a powerful drag flick into the roof of the cage.
The maiden goal helped the Korean players in boosting their morale in the crucial game for the bronze medal. They accomplished back to back to attacks against India, establishing their dominance in the early part of the game.
Extensive efforts from the Korean team paid off in the 13th minute mark when Yoon Dong Hyeon doubled the tally, 2-0.
Shocked by the opening goals from Korea, the Indian team adopted an offensive strategy in search of a maiden goal.
India received a short corner and decided to test Harpreet Singh. He was at his best and did not miss the opportunity, converting the penalty corner and bringing India into the score net.
h**l broke out when India evened the game in the 28th minute of the first half of play. Amit Rohidass converted a penalty stroke, making a tie at two-all.
Korea began the second half of play with a fast-paced game. With two minutes into the period, Hyun Ji Gwang tapped the ball into the cage, breaking the stalemate and regaining a single-goal lead for Korea by 3-2.
However, the Indian players were not ready to give up, and fought bravely in search of an equaliser. Satbir Singh notched a goal in the 64th minute of play, levelling the score at three-all.
Korea earned a penalty stroke in the waning seconds of the regular period but failed to capitalise on it and moved into extra-time to make the match decisive.
With seconds remaining in the first period of the extra-time, Ji Hun converted a short corner, winning the match as well as the bronze medal for South Korea.
Despite the Indian players fighting brilliantly in the playoff match, it was not a lucky day for them and they failed to earn the third place in the Sultan of Johor Cup.
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