Worries of the 8216;world8217; behind them,India set sights on Asia

Both India and Malaysia have virtually qualified for the World Cup to be held in Holland.

Their World Cup berth all but secured,a confident India would look to book a direct ticket to next years mega-event by winning the ongoing ninth Asia Cup hockey tournament when they clash with defending champions South Korea,here on Sunday.

Both India and Malaysia have virtually qualified for the World Cup to be held in Holland after South Korea shut the door on Pakistan with a narrow 2-1 win in the first semifinal. Korea having already qualified for the World Cup,Pakistans passage to the quadrennial event was possible by winning the Asia Cup.

But their defeat has opened the door for India and Malaysia who will now just have to wait for the official confirmation from the International Hockey Federation FIH after the conclusion of the Oceania Cup in November.

But the Sardar Singh-led Indian side will be in no mood to wait till November and would be desperate to secure their direct ticket to Hague with a win over South Korea. Having finished a lowly a seventh in the last edition of the tournament in 2009,redemption will also be in the minds of the Indians when they take on Korea on Sunday.

Two-time champions India last won the Asia Cup in 2007. And having defeated Korea 2-0 in the pool stages,the Indians would be brimming with confidence ahead of the summit clash.

India,who have so far looked the best side in the tournament,are unbeaten going into the final and they would look to keep their record intact.

Interestingly,Indias defence,considered as the perennial problem of the team,has been the unlikely hero in the tournament so far. The backline comprising VR Raghunath,Rupinder Pal Singh,Kothajit Singh,Gurmail Singh and Biremdra Lakra have stood like a wall and have gained confidence from the impressive form of the teams vice captain and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh behind them.

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Raghunath and Rupinder seemed to be relishing the extra responsibility as the duo look intimidating with the drag-flicks. As always captain Sardar Singh holds the key in Indias midfield under whose shadow youngsters like Manpreet Singh,Chinglensana Singh and S K Uthappa have blossomed.

Indias young and inexperienced forward-line too has managed to live up to the expectations so far.

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