By s2h Team

South Korea are proving to comeback kids of the 2021 Asian Champions Trophy. They shared spoils with Asian Games champions Japan 3-3 after being 1-3 down at the Maulana Bhasani stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday. In doing so, the Koreans staged a fightback to neutralize a two-goal deficit for the second day in a row after denying India a win on the opening day after falling 0-2 behind.

In a riveting, fast-paced encounter Japan went 2-0 up in the second quarter with tomahawk strikes by Kato and Murata before South Korea pulled one back with a minute to go for half-time through the veteran Jang Jonghyung’s drag-flick, high into the net.

Kenta Tanaka, who missed a sitter on the hooter in a goalless draw against Pakistan on Tuesday, regained Japan’s two-goal lead with another backhander of sheer quality after eliminating Jang Jonghyung in the 37th minute.

But dismiss the Koreans at your own peril, it would appear. The oft-crowned Asian Games and Asia Cup champions began their comeback trail with a goal by Hyeonhjin Kim in the 42nd minute – a reward for persistent attacks in the third quarter and drew level with five minutes to go through Kim Sung Hyun.

Japan, not content with just a point, went for the kill in the last pulsating minutes of the match during which they forced two penalty corners but South Korea held on for a creditable draw.

India and Pakistan play a marquee match on Friday followed by South Korea and Bangladesh.