Sardar-led side goes down fighting 3-4 in final; Virtually in World Cup but have to wait for Oceania result
India made a spirited fightback in the second half but failed to earn a direct berth in hockey World Cup as they lost the high-scoring summit clash 3-4 to defending champions South Korea, on Sunday.
The Indians, who are virtually assured of a place in the game’s showpiece event to be held at The Hague, Netherlands, needed to win the tournament to secure a direct entry in WC.
The Indians will now have to wait till the conclusion of the Oceania Cup in November, which either Australia and New Zealand is expected to win, for the official confirmation of their participation from the FIH.
Both Australia and New Zealand have already made it to the World Cup through FIH World league.
The Koreans scored through Jang Jong Hyun (28th minute), You Hyo Sik (29th), Nam Hyun Woo (57th) and Kang Moon Kweon (68th). For India, Rupinderpal Singh (48th), Nikkin Thimmaiah (57th) and Mandeep Singh (64th) were the goal-getters.
It was a case of near yet so far for the Indians who did a tremendous job in the second half, after going into the breather trailing by two goals.
However, it was a great show by a young and inexperienced Indian team considering the fact that the country finished a lowly seventh in the last edition of the event in 2009.
The Indians started the match on a bright note and dominated the early share of exchanges, India made some good moves from the right flank but the forwards fizzled after entering the opposition circle.
Korea’s game was all about putting the Indian defence under pressure through counter-attacks. Soon India had their first scoring opportunity through their first penalty corner but V R Raghunath’s flick was blocked by a Korean defender.
Korea soon earned their first penalty corner and tournament’s top-scorer Jang Jong Hyun made no mistake, converting the set piece with a variation. A minute later Korea stunned India again when You Hyo Sik tapped home from Nam Hyun Woo’s cross from the left flank to go into the breather with a morale-boosting 2-0 lead.
The Indians, however, made a strong comeback after the lemon break and put the Korean defence under continuous pressure with repeated raids.
But goals eluded India till the 47th minute as Korea defended in numbers.
India pulled one back in the 48th minute from their second penalty corner which was perfectly converted by Rupinder to bring smiles back on the faces of the Indian crowd present at the stadium. The goal lifted India’s spirit and finally managed to reduce parity through young Nikkin Thimmaiah.
Nikkin scored in the 54h minute with a fierce reverse hit from top of the circle after receiving a pass from Manpreet Singh. But India’s joy was short-lived as Korea regained their lead three minutes later. The Koreans were awarded a penalty stroke after an Indian defender blocked Nam Hyun Woo’s dragflcik with the body from their third short corner.
Nam Hyn Woo stepped up to take the penalty and made the scoreline 3-2 in their favour.
But India did not lose hope and kept up the pressure. Their efforts bore fruit in the 64th minute when young striker Mandeep found himself at the right position at the right moment to send one inside the net from a Birendra lakra cross.
But just two minutes from the hooter some sloppy defending from Dharamvir Singh and Rupinder resulted in Korea’s third penalty corner and Kang Moon Kweon made no mistake with the chance shattering the hopes of handful of Indian supporters present at the stadium.
Apart from the runners-up trophy, P R Sreejesh was adjudged the best goalkeeper of the tournament, while Raghunath was selected as the most outstanding player.