South Korea emerges again as a strong force in Asia after it outwitted higher ranked India in the Azlan Shah Cup final today in Ipoh, Malaysia. Simranjeet Singh struck for India in the ninth minute of the game only to see it evened out 39 minutes later through a skilful penalty stroke negotiation by Jonghyun Jang. In the shoot out, India lost out 2-4.
With this victory, cash-starved Korea send notice to other Asian powers of their happy return. Korea has been out of medals contention in most Asian events inlcuding the latest editions of Asian Games and Asia Cup.
For quite sometime, Korea has been losing to India with slenderest of margin. Even in Ipoh, it showed enormous gumption in scoring equalizer 53 seconds before the hooter.
India scored a early goal today in the all important final only to see it annulled 13 minutes before the final time.
India and Korea jointly held the Cup almost a decade earlier on the same venue.
In the match to determine the third placing, Malaysia defeated Canada 4-2.
Canada took the lead in the 14th minute courtesy of a field goal through Mark Pearson.
But the second quarter action belonged to the Malaysians who stopped three penalty corner attempts from Canada. And Malaysia went on to score three goals to take a 3-1 lead at half time.
In the 22nd minute, the Malaysians gained their first penalty corner and Nik Aiman Nik Rozemi was on hand to slam home the rebound after the initial flick was saved by the Canada keeper David Carter.
In the 29th minute, debutante Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal scored his maiden international goal.
at the fag end of first half Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin scored the third goal to put Malaysia in a commanding position.
In the 45th minute, the Malaysians were down to nine-man earned their sixth penalty corner.
Faizal Saari after misfiring in the last three matches scored his sixth goal on the tournament to put Malaysia 4-1 in the lead.
The fourth quarter saw Malaysia having numerous chances to added to their tally but missed with their attempts.
Canada managed to reduce the deficit in the 59th-minute form a field goal by James Wallace.
In the 5/6th placing match, Japan outclassed Poland 6-1.
Special Awards
Fairplay: Japan
Top Scorer: Mandeep Singh (India) and Jang Jong-hyun (S. Kor) both seven goals
Man-of-the-match (final): Jang Jong-hyun (S. Korea)
Goalkeeper of the tournament: Kim Jae-hyeon (S. Korea)
Player-of-tournament: Surender Kumar (India)