India juniors go down to South Korea in thriller

Perhaps it was fitting that Korea, who gave Pakistan their first ever defeat in twelve years in the tournament, would be the ones to wear the crown of Junior Asia Champions.

India were the tournament favourites from Day One and after a slow start got into their rhythm to outclass all opponents with double-digit scores to set up this meeting with Korea. But in the end, India’s attacking game was no match for the never-say-die patriots from Korea who survived a hail of Indian shots at goal, fell behind but eventually clawed back to win 3-2 and claim the title.

It completes a sweet double for the Koreans whose fairer counterparts defeated China to clinch the 3rd Junior Women’s title on Saturday.

Two goals in as many minutes late in the game by Jung Seong-tae and Jeon Hong-kwon killed off the Indians who managed a late consolation goal when Bimal Lakra converted India’s third penalty stroke of the match.

India went into the match as the red-hot favourites and they certainly lived up to the billings in the first 35 minutes.

They had countless opportunities to sew the match up in the first half but could only strike once in the 29th minute. They even missed a penalty stroke.

Bimal kept his nerves to slot home a penalty stroke, awarded after Kim Chul-soo stopped a goal-bound shot with his body.

Nine minutes earlier, India had earned their first stroke of the match but Korean keeper Lee Myung-ho dived to his right to brilliantly save Arjun Halappa’s attempt.

India ran riot in the opening minutes as their speedy forwards ran rings round the Korean defence but every time when it looked easier to score, the Indian forwards somehow contrived to miss.

The Koreans, defended stoutly and their never-say-die attitude coupled with their remarkable fitness made it a wonderful first half.

The Koreans always looked dangerous when they broke forward. Admittedly it was not as often as they would have liked but they did contribute to the fervour pitch excitement at the Bukit Jalil Stadium.

Lee Jung-seon created and scored Korea’s equaliser in the 34th minute. He ran down the right flank, beating three men in the process but was fouled in the `D’ and off the ensuing penalty corner, Jung-seon sent in a shoulder high shot which beat Devesh Chavhan.

India, it seemed, did not learn anything from the first half. They attacked from the word go at the beginning of the second but try as they might, they still could not hit the target.

When they did finally hit the mark, the outstanding Myung-ho was there to stop them.

Bipin Fernandez and Arjun worked over time in midfield as they tried to find space for the front men and they dominated the halfline but all their good work went down the drain.

With the match heading for a draw, Korea struck. Both times the Koreans broke from deep to score as the Indians pushed men forward.

First in the 65th minute, Seong-tae’s shot from the top of the `D’ flew in and two minutes later Hong-kwon had the simple task of shooting home from close range.

India came roaring back but only managed to pull one back through another Bimal stroke.

But it was too late, because by then, the favourites had been well and truly beaten.

MALAYSIA QUALIFY: Suhaimi Ibrahim’s late strike helped host Malaysia pip Japan 2-1 to claim the bronze medal.

The victory enabled Malaysia, who had beaten Pakistan in the pool matches, to book a ticket for the Junior World Cup to be held in Hobart in Australia next year.

It will be suspense time for Japan now as they will await information from International Hockey Federation (FIH) if they can make it to the world tournament.

This is because the FIH have only allocated three slots to Asia but with the Junior World Cup having 16 teams next year instead of 12, the continent has urged the world body to increase its quota to four.

Malaysia started without Chua Boon-huat but defensive Japanese, who had entered the field with an intention to drag the match to the penalty shoot-out stage, forced them to bring him in after 21 minutes of play.

After frustrating all attempts of the hosts, Japanese make some forays into the rival defence. They created some good moves in the first half but their forwards missed two scoring chances.

First goal for Malaysia came in the 31st minute through the field. The scorer was Norazlan Rahim. Suhaimi could have made it 2-0 just before the lemon break but his shot was off target.

In the second half too the Malaysians were in command and Japanese could only reach their citadel through counter attacks.

Japanese counter attacks nearly paid off. They had three scoring chances but all went abegging.

Malaysia consolidated the lead in the 61st minute when Suhaimi dived to deflect Boon Huat’s freehit into goal.

Two goals down and with just 14 muinutes to go Japan tried hard to salvage the situation. A minute later Yasuhiro Kikkawa’s shot from the top of the striking circle found the target.

With lead reduced Japan made some more attempts but Malaysian defence denied them the equaliser.