India Draw 2-2 vs Korea, in Opening Match of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey
India drew 2-2 with Korea in their opening match of the Azlan Shah Hockey tournament in Ipoh.
Korea held Asian Games champions India to a draw after trailing in the first quarter of the their opening game in the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey.
5:59 PM IST: End of match India vs Korea hold on for a 2-2 draw.
4:55 PM IST: GOAL! India equalise in the 56th minute thanks to Raghunath after the Indians earned their first PC of the match. There have been four overall. It's 2-2 vs Korea.
4:52 PM IST: GOAL! Korea have come from behind to take a 2-1 lead with minutes to go for the final whistle. Seunghoon Lee made use of a goofy Indian show in the final quarter to score an important goal.
4:50 PM IST: Mandeep Singh is injured after crashing with a Korean player in the 51st minute. He is walking off the field.
4:49 PM IST: The Koreans are now on the attack - Sreejesh has been tested to the hilt but he has guarded India's goal-post like a knight.
4:48 PM IST: It's the 3rd PC of the match in the 49th minute.
4:42 PM IST: The end of the Third Quarter and the 1-1 deadlock still continues.
4:41 PM IST: Fantastic run by Gurbaj has earned India a free hit. Korea clearly under pressure as the game reaches a decisive stage.
4:36 PM IST: The Indian goal is under pressure as Korea make two attempts in the 38th minute but Sreejesh is ever alert on his post. India hold on.
4:33 PM IST: India have been brilliant in intercepting the balls meant for the Koreans. A mid-field scoop meant for Lee is blocked by Rupinder in the Indian D.
4:30 PM IST: India on the attack again in the second half but Sardar and Dharamvir fail to trap Rupinder's long-cross in the 32nd minute.
4:23 PM IST: It's Half-Time and India and Korea are level on 1-1.
4:16 PM IST: Korea get a free hit in the dying minutes of the second quarter after the ball hits Manpreet's foot.
4:15 PM IST: Kothajit beats three Korean players to show some good skills with three minutes left.
4:09 PM IST: GOAL! Hyesung Hyun equalises for the Koreans in the 24th minute after flicking on top right.
4:09 PM IST: Green card for Thimmaiah. Penalty corner for the Koreans. But the ball has hit the rusher and it's a second PC for the Koreans.
4:08 PM IST: Good attempt from Gurbaj at mid-field but he fails to score. India have continued to be aggressive against the rattled Koreans in the 23rd minute.
4:03 PM IST: Another tense moment for Korea as Ramandeep tries to score, but his attempt at goal is saved by the Koreans in the 18th minute.
4:01 PM IST: The second quarter has started and India would again be expected to continue with their dominating style of play.
4:00 PM IST: That's the end of the first quarter and India Korea 1-0. The Indians dominated the first quarter of play.
3:55 PM IST: GOAL! India take the early lead in the 10th minute thanks to Nikkin Thimmaiah. It's India 1, Korea 0. What a start for the new coach this is. van Ass should be beaming at his wards.
3:51 PM IST: It was India attacking to start off with and Korea's first proper aggressive move in the 6th minute was stopped by Ramandeep Singh. India are in with a mission.
3:45 PM IST: Both teams are ready for the match and it can start any moment. India vs Korea at the Azlan Shah Cup.
© AP
Already assured of a place in the Rio Olympics, Asian Games champions India will start their preparations for the mega-event with the 24th Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament where they would face Korea in their opening match here on Sunday.
Given that India have already qualified for the Olympics, it was expected that the Asian Games gold-medallists will use the Azlan Shah Cup as a testing ground for youngsters. (Read More)
© NDTV
Indian Hockey Team Seeks Fresh Start Under New Coach Paul van Ass
The Indian men's hockey team will seek a fresh beginning under new coach Paul van Ass as the six-nation 24th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup starts at the Azlan Shah Stadium here on Sunday.
India had a fruitful 2014 when they won the the Asian Games gold after 16 years. They gave a tough fight to Australia as well to finish a creditable fourth in the Champions Trophy.
Now, the 18-member team is gearing up to play not only the first tournament of the year but also it will be the first assignment for Dutchman van Ass, who takes over the reins of the eight-time Olympic champions from Australian Terry Walsh. (Read More)