Superbly fit and vastly cautious Korea annexed their third Asia Cup title, defeating Pakistan 1-0 in the final of the Asia Cup here in Kuantan, Malaysia.

In a fitting result, Korea’s penalty corner exponent Kim Byung Hoon converted a penalty stroke in the 66th minute to frustrate Pakistan, which showed symptoms of asecedency.

Pakistan maintained a level of performance throrooghout the tournament, and it was not different in the final as well. However, they ran out of ideas in the realm of penalty corners once it was clear Sohail Abbas would not be the match winner.

The ace took all three penalty corners, twice goalkeeper stopped it while the one went above the bar.

The complextion of the match would have been different had Sohail utilzed the two penalty corner they got in the early phase.

Inside circle, both teams did not show the sharpness they have been so in the whole week. Korea’s Hyo Sik You, who scored a brace of goal against Japan in the semis, was playing midfield often. Without him Korea missed a bit of sharpness.

Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan rotated its left wing often, once moments after coming as a substitute Waqas got a chance to deflect a loose ball, but second-goalkeeper of Korea too was as reflexive as was his mentor.

Korea got a better of share in the first half, in all it got three penalty corners apart from the one that settled the issue, but their indirect effort was comprehended by Salman Akber.

If Korea had not taken the lead with the first two penalty corners, it was because of Salman’s acrobatics under the bar.

Korea is the most consistent team in Asia. Its Korea’s third final entry in the last four Asia Cups, and third title.