Asian Champions Trophy: India have edge over Korea | Hockey News – Times of India

Harmanpreet’s team seeks final berth
In the context of results, India has ticked all the boxes at the Asian Champions Trophy at Hulunbuir, China. Having remained unbeaten in five league matches, India have scored 21 goals – the highest by a stretch – and the four goals conceded are the least among the six teams in the fray.
Despite the overriding dominance over the rest of the Asian teams, chief coach Craig Fulton will expect much from the talent he has at his disposal.
India seemed to drop intensity in their attacks towards the business end of the league. They started well, routing hosts China 3-0, before registering convincing 5-1 and 8-1 wins against Japan and Malaysia respectively. But they were tested by both Korea (3-1) and Pakistan (2-1).

Up against a plucky Korea in the semifinal on Monday, they need to up their game. The young strikers, who were scrappy in patches against Pakistan on Friday, will have to make amends. Collection of aerial balls and stopping inside the striking circle will have to be shored up. The midfield, led by the seasoned Manpreet Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad, needs to plug the holes which were exposed during the last two league fixtures.
On the brighter side, the form of skipper Harmanpreet Singh has been the USP for the defending champions. Apart from stoutly defending the backline, Harmanpreet has also been at the heart of India’s penalty corner conversions, which has resulted in five goals. The Indians will also hope for the variations in penalty corners to work better for them.
Although India will have the upper hand, Korea is no easy meat. Their forward line is quick on the counter, and they have thrived in the form of their drag flick ace Jihun Yang in penalty corners. With seven goals, Yang is currently the leading goal-scorer of the competition, and he could well prove a handful for goalkeepers Krishan Pathak and Suraj Karkera, who guard the posts equally during a match.
“Korea is a tough team, they defend very well and can counterattack fast and skillfully,” conceded Harmanpreet.
In the other semis, Pakistan, who finished second behind India on the points table, will take on China.