India faltered at the last hurdle to go down fighting to South Korea in the final of Asia Cup Hockey. India lost 3-4 in a thrilling encounter. The controversial penalty corner awarded to Korean team in the dying moments of the game, dashed India’s hopes of winning the Asia Cup title.
For South Korea, Jang Jong Hyun (28th min, Penalty Corner), You Hyo Sik (29th), Nam Hyun Woo (57th, Penalty Stroke) and Kang Moon Kweon (68th) scored the goals. For India, Rupinderpal Singh (48th, Penalty Corner), Nikin Thimmaiah (55th) and Mandeep Singh (66th) were the goal scorers.
India’s VR Raghunath was named ‘Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament’. Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was named the ‘Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament’. Pakistan beat Malaysia to win the bronze medal. For the first time in history, Pakistan failed to qualify for the World Cup.
South Korea’s victory helped Malaysia to qualify for the World Cup Hockey in 2014. India will wait for the Oceania Championship to be declared as a qualifer for the World Cup. Australia and New Zealand have already qualified for the World Cup. As they are the strongest teams in the Oceania region, India will qualify for the World Cup when any of them wins the tournament.
