India on Sunday drew 2-2 with Korea to make a satisfactory start to their campaign in the 24th Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament here, in what was Dutchman Paul van Ass’ first match as the team’s chief coach. India took the lead through Nikkin Thimmaiah (10th minute) before Korea scored twice through Hyesung Hyun (24th) and Seongkyu lee (53rd) to reverse the scoreline. VR Raghunath (56th) came to India’s rescue with a penalty corner conversion as both the teams took away one point each from the fixture.
The match was of immense importance for the Indians, who are witnessing a transition phase post Terry Walsh. It was Van Ass’ maiden assignment as India coach and at the end of the day he probably would have been mighty relieved with the ultimate scoreline. After a relatively slow start, India picked up the momentum with time. But it was the Koreans who had the first shot at the goal in the eighth minute when Seongkyu Kim’s feeble shot was easily gloved over by Indian custodian PR Sreejesh.
Two minutes later, Akashdeep Singh came close to handing India the lead but his shot from an acute angle was saved by Korean custodian Jaehyeon Kim. India did not have to wait for long as Thimmaiah then tapped home from close range to flick the ball swiftly into the goalpost in the 10th minute after receiving the pass from Ramandeep Singh.
Rupinder had passed the ball to Ramandeep Singh, who was at the Korean goalmouth. Four minutes into the second quarter, India had great chances of extending their lead but Korean goalkeeper made a double save to deny Dharamvir Singh and Satbir Singh. The Koreans looked dangerous in counter-attacks and from one such move managed to secure back-to-back penalty corners in the 24th minute, the second of which was converted by Hyun with a powerful high flick to the left of Indian goalkeeper Sreejesh.
Akashdeep then was unlucky as his reverse hit struck the upright as both the teams went into the breather locked at one goal apiece. After the change of ends, the Indians continued to mount pressure on the Korean defence. Ramandeep first shot wide with only the Korean goalkeeper to beat in the 43rd minute and then the Indian striker once again shot wide after he was found unmarked by Sardar Singh’s measured pass from outside the circle.
The Koreans’ swift attacks on the counters earned them two more penalties, the first of which was brilliantly saved by Sreejesh and the second one struck the right bar. Sreejesh pulled up another valiant save soon to deny Jung Jun lee, but Korea were not to be denied as an outstretched Seunghoon deflected in a pass from lee.
‘Not happy with result’
“(I am) not satisfied with the result but satisfied with the way we played. We haven’t lost that is good and don’t forget there is a long way to go,” Van Ass said after the match. “I am very positive about the team. For me they played with their heart today and I liked what I saw. Especially in the first half we were exerting more pressure without much.”
The India coach, however, regrets at least four missed opportunities, two of which according to him should have been converted. “We had four good shots at the goal and out of them two should have been goals. Akashdeep got two chances in the first half and Ramandeep in the second half If we would have scored those goals we would have won the match,” he said.
“let’s not rush (on India’s progress). I understand Indian people think we are a candidate for a medal in Rio but it’s still a long way. Yes, there are improving but you need more than that.” “I am not happy. We wanted to win because we lost to them in the Asian Games,” he said. “India have a strong team, skillful individual players.