Youngster Akashdeep Singh struck the only goal of the semifinal at the fag end of third quarter againt Korea to take India to the grand final of the Asian Games.
India will now meet winner of the other semifinal between Malaysia and Pakistan.
In the event of Pakistan reaching the final, which is more likely, a mouth-watering final is on cards in the Incheon Asian Games: India Vs Pak.
In a match where it was in control of most of proceedings, India emerged the winner despite a scare for equalizer emerged when Korea got a penalty corner just 108 second remained for the hooter.
Howerver, otherwise dependable Nam could not showcase his ware, as a charger would deflect the ball to the left of the cage.
India which beat the same rivals for bronze in the last edition, will now improve its position to silver/gold, with Rio Olympic berth tanging before the two struggling former giants of the game.
Today’s victory is all the more sweet because its Korea which often came up with trumps in the crucial matches, what with India losing a couple of Asian Games finals.
For Akashdeep, today’s hero, or super-hero, its a good turn around after he failed to convert his shoot out in the World League Semifinal at the Hague against Argentina, thus creating anxious moments before India getting the The Hague World Cup berth through circuitous route. The poor show also cost then coach Michael Nobbs his job.