Korean pace leaves India flat-footed

India, with four points to their credit following the 3-0 win over Argentina and the rousing 2-2 draw against hosts and favourites Australia, now have to win their last two Group clashes against Spain (September 23) and Poland (September 25).

After the fast and furious encounter against the Aussies on Tuesday, in which India squandered the lead twice, they tried to slow down the pace against the Koreans, easily the fittest side in the championship, and the tactics did not work.

The Indians did have their chances, but failed to utilise them, while the Koreans took full advantage of the opportunities that came their way.The action began with Korea’s Kim Jung-Chul cutting through the otherwise solid Indian defence only to shoot wide. At the other end Sameer Dad found his shot saved by a rival defender off a scooped pass from Mohd Riaz.

Midway through the session, India earned their first penalty-corner following a free-hit outside the Korean circle, but made a mess of the award.A prompt counter-attack gave Korea, in turn, their first penalty-corner award and Yeo-Woon-Kwon shot wide.

In the 24th minute a Baljit Saini forward pass to an unmarked Mukesh Kumar, scorer of that peach of a second minute goal against the Aussies two days ago, saw the ace right winger shooting straight into Korean custodian Kim Yoon’s pads.

The Korean pressure increased and four minutes later Kim Kyung-Seok crossed the ball to Song who shot it home in brilliant style past Indian custodian Jude Menezes to put his team 1-0 in front.

Song was again in the thick of action soon with a superb reverse-flick while himself going sprawling on the ground, but the ball missed the mark.

At the other end young Dinesh Thakur, collecting a pass from Tirumalvalavan, shot wide of the target which led to a melee in which India got their second penalty corner. This time Baljit Dhillon scooped over the bar.

The teams adjourned for half time with India trailing 0-1.

Then it was Song’s turn to feed Kang who came up with a fine shot for his team’s second and last goal soon after resumption of play. The Koreans continued to apply the pressure and got their second penalty corner in the 51st minute. Indian goalkeeper Menezes came up with a brilliant save off a scoop from Yeo Woon-Kwon. With time running out fast, the Indians mounted pressure and forced two penalty corners one after another, but drew a blank. However, Ji Seong-Hwan received temporary marching orders for obstructing veteran Indian striker Dhanraj Pillay.

After the match Chief coach Vasudevan Baskaran said “we missed and they scored. Both their goals were great.”

Admitting that one small mistake in each half undid the Indian team, Baskaran, however, sounded optimistic about India’s chances of entering the last four for the first time since the 1980 Games at Moscow where he was the captain.

“India have two games left (against Spain and Poland). Every team is struggling and anything can happen.”

Skipper Ramandeep Singh said that his team did not get adequate rest and time to recover after India’s draining, fast-paced outing against Australia on Tuesday night.

But the Indian captain said that the defeat against Korea has not put undue pressure on the team.