New Delhi: India goalkeeper and vice captain PR Sreejesh put up a heroic show to earn India a 2-0 win over South Korea in Ipoh on Sunday, which put them through to the semi-finals of the 9th Asia Cup.
In a match dominated by South Korea on the field and the statistics board, VR Raghunath and Mandeep Singh's strikes in the 6th and 65th minutes, respectively, earned India their second win in a row after thrashing Oman 8-0 in the opening game on Saturday.
Sreejesh stood like a wall in front of the Indian goal, saving as many as five penalty corners flicked by South Korea, besides numerous raids made by the experienced South Korean forwards.
By virtue of this win, India now go on top of Pool B with 6 points and will in all probability avoid Pakistan in the semis. Pakistan too have won two games, which gives them the top spot in Pool A.
The Indians made a dominating start in the match and played possession hockey in the first-half utilising both the flanks to build up their attacks.
The Indians stunned Korea early in the match taking the lead through Raghunath. The defender converted India's first penalty corner with a powerful low dragflick to the right corner of the Korean goal past, beating goalkeeper Lee Myung Ho.
After that, the Indians should consider themselves lucky not to have conceded a goal as Korea put the Indian defence under continuous pressure with continuous attacks.
The Koreans earned as many five penalty corners in the opening half but failed to convert a single one. While Gurmail Singh blocked the Nam Hyun Woos flick, Sreejesh made one of his few brilliant saves from Koreas second short corner a few minutes later.
Just five minutes from the break, India had a golden chance to double their lead but Malak Singh's shot went wide from close range. Towards the end of the opening half, the Indians were put under tremendous pressure, conceding three more penalty corners. But a brilliant Sreejesh under the goal once again came to India's rescue.
After the change of ends, the Koreans continued to attack consistently putting the Indian defence under pressure. But Sreejesh stood like rock between Korea and goal as he made an acrobatic save in the 51st minute to deny Kang Moon Kweon.
If not for Sreejesh's efforts, India could have very well lost the match. The lanky custodian denied the Koreans on two to three occasions in the final 10 minutes to keep India afloat. Towards the end, it was India's turn to exert some pressure on the Korean defence and came very close to doubling their lead, but an unmarked Malak shot wide with only the onrushing Korean goalkeeper Lee to beat.
India will play Bangladesh in their last pool match on Wednesday while Korea will be up against Oman.
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