The Indian youth men’s hockey team beat South Korea 9-1 in the first semi-final to reach the final of the 2023 Men’s Youth Asia Cup.
Post Date – 11:40 PM, Wednesday – 5/31/23
The Indian youth men’s hockey team beat South Korea 9-1 in the first semi-final to reach the final of the 2023 Men’s Youth Asia Cup.
New Delhi: India’s youth men’s hockey team beat South Korea 9-1 in their first semi-final match in Salalah, Oman on Wednesday to reach the final of the 2023 Men’s Youth Asia Cup.
India’s scorers are Sunit Lakra (13′), Araijeet Singh Hundal (19′), Boby Singh Dhami (31′, 39′, 55′), Angad Bir Singh (34′), Captain Uttam Singh (38′) ), Vishnukant Singh (51′), Sharda Nand Tiwari (57′). Meanwhile, South Korea’s only goal was Keonyeol Hwang (46).
In the early encounters it looked more dangerous to be the South Koreans; however, they were met by a well-organized Indian defense which absorbed the pressure well. Just after halfway through the quarter, the Indian team started to attack quickly, pushing the South Korean team back to the half, and launched several attacks from the right.
With a few minutes left in the first period, Sunit Lakra (13′) netted the ball to give India a 1-0 lead over South Korea at halftime.
Both sides got off to a good start in the second period, and the early encounters were evenly matched before India extended its lead. Araijeet Singh Hundal (19′) found himself in space inside the area and made a deft finish from close range. Since then, the South Koreans have been looking for ways to score goals, but India’s defenders have kept them at arm’s length. Uttam Singh’s side, meanwhile, nearly scored a third goal but were still 2-0 into the semi-finals going into the break.
A high press from Boby Singh Dhami (31′) came in handy at the start of the third period as he regained possession and headed home to make it 3-0 for India leading. Minutes later Angad Bir Singh (34′) made it 4-0 and Uttam Singh and co took control of the game. India continued to attack and scored a few more goals in quick succession, with goals from captain Uttam Singh (38) and Boby Singh Dhami (39) giving India a 6-0 lead. A rare South Korea attack almost led to goal, but goalkeeper Mohith Shashikumar was adamant as India maintained a healthy lead at the break of the third period.
Keonyeol Hwang (46′) made it 6-1 with a free throw in the first minute of the final period, giving South Korea a goal. India restored their six-goal lead shortly after, when Vishnukant Singh (51′) made it 7-1 from a penalty corner. Boby Singh Dhami (55′) scored a hat-trick with five minutes to go as the Indian Junior Boys extended their lead to 8-1. Minutes later, Sharda Nand Tiwari (57′) made it 9-1 with a pinpoint strike from the penalty corner, much to the delight of the fans present.
The three-time Men’s Youth Asian Cup champions will aim for a fourth title and will take on the winners of the second semi-final between Malaysia and Pakistan. The final is scheduled for June 1.
