October 13, 2002	Sunday	Sha'aban 6, 1423

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BUSAN, Oct 12: Hosts South Korea pipped defending champions India 4-3 with a goal two minutes from time in a pulsating Asian Games men’s hockey final here Saturday.

A superb second-half rally by India turned the match into a thriller after the hosts seemed to be gliding along at 3-0 for their third Asian Games gold.

India scored three times in the space of 13 minutes in an impressive show of resilience as Jugraj Singh converted a penalty stroke and a penalty-corner and Gagan Ajit Singh scored off a pass from star player Dhanraj Pillay.

The goal-scorers for South Korea were Yeo Woon-Kon (2), Kang Keon-Wook and Song Seung-Tae and it was Yeo’s second penalty-corner conversion which decided the match with just two minutes to go.

“The match was really tense in the second session as India came up with an outstanding display,” said Korean coach Jae-Hong Jeon.

“Their attacks were really dangerous but I thought they were a little weak in defence.”

Defender Jugraj, who scored two goals for India, was also guilty of some irresponsible play towards the end.

An infringement on the edge of the circle resulted in his team aconceding a penalty-corner that ended in the decisive goal, and Jugraj also got himself a red card near close for bringing down Song.

“We were good after the break, but our attacks in the first-half left a lot to be desired,” said Indian coach Rajinder Singh. “We continued attacking when the score was 3-3 because we were confident of scoring again. It’s disappointing to lose when you are playing so well.”

Apart from Gagan Ajit and Pillay, striker Deepak Thakur also enjoyed a good game.

But even as the Indian forwards were fighting it out, the defence got some scares in the second session.

A reverse-flick from Seo Jong-Hu sailed over the cross-piece and Song failed to connect a cross from Kim Kyung-Seok on the right.

This was the third consecutive final played between the two teams - South Korea triumphed at Hiroshima in 1994 while India beat South Korea at the 1998 Bangkok Games.

Earlier, Malaysia stunned seven-time champions Pakistan in a penalty shoot-out to take the bronze.

Malaysia won the tie-breaker 4-2 after the regulation period and extra-time had ended 1-1, hurling Pakistan out of the medals bracket for the first time ever in the Games.

Key players Sohail Abbas and Mudassar Ali failed to convert during the shoot-out after captain Mohammad Sarwar and Mohammad Wasim had scored for Pakistan.

Keevan Raj, Boon Huat Chua, K. Shanmuganathan and Amin Rahim kept their calm to ensure Malaysia’s sixth bronze medal at the Games.

Earlier, Abbas coverted a penalty-corner for Pakistan and Keevan Raj scored off a penalty stroke during regulation period.

Pakistan, who had beaten Malaysia 6-1 in the league, struggled to recover from their 4-3 defeat to India in the semifinals and looked lethargic.

Pakistan coach Tahir Zaman conceded the loss to India had hit the team hard.

“Our players were psychologically down,” said Tahir. “The loss to India was a big blow and the team just failed to get its act together.

“But it’s also time we thought of blooding new youngsters.”—AFP