India Beat Korea 4-1, Enter Asian Champions Trophy Final vs Hosts China

India registered an emphatic 4-1 win over Korea in the semi-final of the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2024 at the scenic Moqi Hockey Training Base on Monday. Defending champions India will take on hosts China in the summit clash on Tuesday. Uttam Singh (13') gave India the lead in the first quarter, followed by goals from Harmanpreet Singh (19', 45') and Jarmanpreet Singh (32'). Yang Ji-hun (33') scored the only goal for Korea.

India began the crucial semi-final on the front foot, with Abhishek forcing a save from Korea's goalkeeper, Jaehan Kim, on the reverse, in the opening minutes. Uttam kept the pressure on with a bursting run down the right wing and found Raheel, whose close-range shot was saved. While the Indian defence smothered the occasional Korean counterattack, the forwards finally broke through as Araijeet Singh smashed the ball across the goal from the right wing for Uttam to tap in, making it 1-0 for India in the first quarter.

India earned their first penalty corner early in the second quarter, and on the second attempt, Harmanpreet struck the backboard to double India's lead.

Sukhjeet ensured India kept the pressure on with a deep foray into Korea's shooting circle but couldn't find a teammate. In the very next play, Jarmanpreet pulled an aerial pass from Sumit on the opposite flank out of the air and smacked it towards goal, where it deflected in, further increasing India's lead. Korea responded by earning a penalty corner, and Jihun Yang flicked it down the middle to beat Krishan Pathak, providing a ray of hope for Korea as the scoreline read 3-1 in India's favour.

Both teams created goal scoring opportunities as the third quarter drew to a close, but an error from Korea's goalkeeper Jaehan Kim gifted