India keen to maintain form

If the match ends in a draw, Korea will top group a on better goal average leaving India and Pakistan to fight it out for a place in the final.

India would be more keen to avoid locking horns with arch-rivals Pakistan who beat them for the bronze medal in the recent Champions Trophy in Cologne. But for that they will have to counter challenge from the spirited hosts, keen to avenge their loss at the hands of India in the final of the Bangkok Asian Games in 1998.

South Korean coach Jeon Jae-Hong minced no words saying ‘‘we are looking to settle scores at the earliest opportunity. It’s the gold medal that we are chasing but first getting even with India will be a good idea,’’ he said.

With India also wanting to avenge their 2-4 loss to Koreain Champions Trophy, the match must provide a few sparks tomorrow. But India, who will probably be without Prabhjot Singh, due to an injury sustained during the match against Hong Kong, will have to go all out to counter the Koreans on their home soil.