KUANTAN: Top-ranked India were held to a 1-1 draw by the brisk-moving South Koreans in the round-robin league encounter of the Asian Champions Trophy on Saturday.
Placed five spots behind sixth-ranked India in the world rankings, the Koreans repeatedly caused ripples in the rival defence and found plenty of time and space to dribble into the scoring zone at the Kuantan Hockey Stadium.
A series of saves by skipper PR Sreejesh saved India the embarrassment after they had fallen behind in the first quarter of the game. South Korea took the lead in the 11the minute off a flash strike by Jeong Junwoo. India fought back to equalise in the 33rd minute through Lalit Upadhyay, who sent a firm reverse drive from the top of the circle into the boards.
India now have four points from two games ahead of the showpiece league match against Pakistan on Sunday. This was the first point for South Korea who conceded a last-minute winner to Pakistan on Friday.
In the other match on Saturday, China beat Japan 2-1.
Published in Dawn October 23rd, 2016
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