Defending champions India continued their dominant run at the Hero Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Hulunbuir, China, with a convincing 3-1 victory over Korea on Thursday, September 12, 2024.
India, who had already secured a semifinal berth with three consecutive wins, extended their unbeaten streak to four matches. Araijeet Singh Hundal (8th minute) and skipper Harmanpreet Singh (9th, 43th) were the goal scorers for India, while Jihun Yang (30th minute) netted the lone goal for Korea from a penalty corner.
India started the match aggressively and took the lead early on through Hundal, who deflected a cross from the right flank into the Korean net. Just a minute later, Harmanpreet doubled India’s advantage with a powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner.
Korea fought back in the second quarter and earned a penalty corner, which Yang converted to reduce the deficit. However, India maintained their composure and regained control of the game in the third quarter.
Harmanpreet extended India’s lead to 3-1 with another penalty corner goal in the 43rd minute. Korea tried to mount a comeback in the final quarter but failed to breach the Indian defense.
With this victory, India finished the league stage with a perfect record of four wins from four matches. They will now face arch-rivals Pakistan in their last league match on Saturday before advancing to the semifinals.
The top four teams from the league stages will qualify for the semifinals, while the final will be played on Sunday.
