Just like India, Pakistan and Malaysia, South Korea also started off their Asia cup campaign in great style. The 3-time Asia Cup winners routed Bangladesh 9-0 in their opener.
But their real test will be against India.
Korea will face the Indian team on Tuesday and both the teams have got the right start.
South Korean coach Shin Seok feels that the win over Bangladesh would surely help them against India.
“India is a good side, and they beat Oman by 7 goals, but we have won our match by 9 goals. It’s a very good start. We played according to our plan and did not give the Bangladesh team any chance to score even a single goal. I am happy the way our team has played,” says the Korean coach.
When asked about the Indian team, Shin Seok asserts he would never take India lightly.
“India is a very strong team. Their captain Sardar Singh is their key player and he will pose us the biggest threat. We will try our best to control him,” Shin says.
A former drag-flicker himself, and with three equally competent specialist flickers in his squad, Shin Seok very well knows that India is also good in this department, and he can counter the likes of Raghunath and Rupinder Pal.
“Indian drag-flicker Raghunath is a good flicker. They also have a couple of more guys who are capable of scoring goals via flicks. We will try not to concede many penalty corners,” Shin explains the core of his approach for India match.
South Korea has already qualified for the 2014 World Cup, and their coach wants to see more Asian teams in the big event.
“As an Asian, I would surely like to see India and Pakistan in the World Cup. This will create a balance there. Both are good teams and are capable of making it to the World Cup,” South Korean coach concludes.
He perhaps reflects the mood of Asian hockey community though.