India signs off in style, beat Korea 3-0

Sardar Singh’s boys have defeated reigning Asian Champions South Korea comprehensively to win the ninth place decider today on the penultimate day of the exciting Rabobank World Cup.

India kept the Asian Champions in check from the beginning and struck at regular intervals to deny them any space, thus winning them in the World Cup for the first time.

It was youngster Akashdeep Singh, who set the scoring initially, with a gentle push to the right of already fallen goalie, getting a perfect parallel pass from SV Sunil.

Thereafter, captain Sardar Singh made a wonderful solo, dodging a host of chasers, and on the right fringe of the circle, when challenged, placed the ball on the foot of a defender, which was lost sight of umpire, though the incident took place right under his nose.

Confident captain went for a referral and won it.

The resultant penalty corner was taken by Rupinder but it struck a defender on the line, leading to award of penalty stroke

Rupinder had no difficulty in putting it past the goalie (2-0).

At the stroke of half time, just 10 seconds remained, Korea got a Penalty Corner from the same umpire, but confident Rupinder Singh, who tackled him on the left baseline inside circle, went for referral, and won it too.

Its two for two in referrals for India as the lemon time struck.

Akashdeep was it again who struck in a melee in the 50th minute, moments after missing a sitter.

Korea, somehow unable to get its act together, came in to the own in the spells, but twice were denied leeway by inform goalie PR Sreejesh.

India thus has built up a great psychological advanatage over Korea as it will challenge them in the Asian Games.

Incidentally, it was in 1994 at the Sydney Olympics India defeated Korea, and this win has come after twenty years.

“We played both European and Asian style in a mixed way and it worked well today”, said beaming coach Terry Walsh.

“We have been learning, and we know if we play simple hockey and keep it safe we will win, and did occur today”, explained captain Sardar Singh.