By s2h Team
South Korea dug deep into their reserves to beat hosts Bangladesh 3-2 in an unexpectedly close encounter in the 2021 Asian Champions Trophy at the Maulana Bhasani stadium in Dhaka on Friday.
The hosts, distant 38th in the rankings, suffered a 0-9 rout at the hands of India in their opener on Wednesday and one wouldn’t blame the 16th-ranked Koreans for expecting three points from the outing.
But Bangladesh, probably drawing inspiration from the country’s Victory Day on Thursday, along with coach Gobinath Krishnamurthy’s words of wisdom, changed character and attitude.
Far from going into their shell as they did against India, Bangladesh even took the lead in the eighth minute.
A long ball into the circle saw Arshad Hossain beat the goalkeeper from close to stun South Korea.
It was level eight minutes later when South Korea’s frantic efforts to catch up led to a penalty stroke that captain Jang Jongh Hyun converted with minimum fuss.
Khorshadur Rahman’s 10-minute yellow suspension further undermined Bangladesh’s cause as pressure mounted on the defense.
It was all Korea after that but that only brought about the best from goalkeeper Biblok Kajur who duly collected the man-of-the-match award.
Bangladesh’s expected and perhaps warranted stone-walling tactics in the third quarter saw no further change in the scoreboard.
It needed something special to break the hosts’ resolve and it came in the form of a barest of touches by Woo Chi Ji from a long slap-hit and Korea went ahead in the 48th minute.
Six minutes later it was Cheoleon Park who rifled in a loose ball following a move down the left flank and Korea seemed to make it safe.
But there was time for a twist when Mohammed Deen Emon slotted home after Youngbin Kang saved twice as Bangladesh attempted to salvage something from the match.
They didn’t, in terms of points, but succeeded in terms of admiration from their fans among a goodly holiday crowd.
South Korea are second to India on the five-nation table, two points adrift with fivc. Japan follow them at third with two, Pakistan are fourth with two while Bangladesh bring up the rear with none from two matches.