India’s custodian in the nets, goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh once again proved his mettle as India ended their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament in style by winning a bronze medal in the match which went to the penalty-shootouts.
In full confidence after beating defending champions Australia in their last match, India once again looked hungry for a win as they went on to attack from the first minute. Nikkin Thimmaiah, who scored the hat-trick against Australia in the last match yesterday, rose to the occasion once more and netted the first goal for India in the 10th minute, a sweep off S.K. Uthappa’s cross from the right flank.
South Korea soon got their equalizer in the 19th minute after Hyosik You scored off the rebound shot that came his way in the penalty corner. The first attempt by Korea was saved by Sreejesh.
Two minutes later, India once again took the lead, after Satbir Singh ran a good length to pass the ball to Dharamvir, who playing his 100th international cap, gave it back to Satbir, who flicked it to the top right of the net.
The lead was not a long-lived one as South Korea found the equalizer soon after, in the 28th minute, which comes off another penalty corner, this time scored by Hyunwoo Nam.
Korea in all received seven penalty corners and converted two while India earned nil. The match remained evenly placed till the final hooter went off to take the match into the penalty shoot-outs.
For India, Akashdeep emerged at first, who after confusing the goalkeeper a bit, flicked it towards the left. For Korea, Jonghyun Jang easily equalized soon after. Skipper Sardar Singh came in next, displaying brilliance dribbled inside the D and hit it from the top giving India the lead in the shoot-out.
For Korea, Kihoon Kim came next, but Sreejesh completely blocked his angle to stop him from scoring. Rupinderpal Singh scored the third goal for India in the shoot-outs and he did itin style, turning around and then sweeping the ball 180 degrees into the nets.
The next attempt for Korea was taken by Juhun Kim, who missed it yet again after Sreejesh dived to clear the ball.
With this the onus on win was on Birendra Lakra, who had to succeed to give India its bronze after three years. And he did exactly that, confidently ran infront of the goalkeeper and gave him ample time to dive before releasing the ball into the nets.
Goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh was accorded the Man of the Match for his brilliant saves.
It is India’s first medal in the Azlan Shah after the 2012 edition, where they also won the bronze by beating Great Britain.
India’s title win had come last in 2010, when India and South Korea were declared joint winners after rain played spoilsport.