Indian captain Rani (queen in her mother tongue) was injured and did not play today when India took on the defending champions South Korea. Yet, the captain’s energetic girls rose to the occasion to outplay Korea in the last part of the match to tilt the otherwise

evenly played game to their favour. India and Korea, strong contenders here for the ultimate honours, were even on scoreboard (1-1) till 54th minute before an Indian Tsunami crushed their traditional nemesis with an unseen ferocity (4-1). Not often did Indian girls score three goals in three minutes, that too a kind opposition that Korea is, as it did today.

After Navneet Kaur deflected a Lilima Minz long corner , Korea equalized five minutes later through a controversial stroke which Yurim Lee easily converted. Trinidad and Tobago umpire Mc Clean Ayanna’s decision did not go kindly with the Indian girls, who went for referral, which did not stand to the scrutiny of neutral umpire Jian Jun Chen of China.

Honestly speaking, the Korean lasses had their match in control in the entire second and third quarters, when their flank worked hard, while the defenders Heesun Jang and Park Seun Ha kept the Indian forwardline on either flank in check. Indian goalie Savita Punia made some amazing saves to keep India unpunctured in those harrowing times.

When India got a penalty corner in the 54the minute what was in store was not evident. Gurjit Kaur flicked it to the right corner to enliven the crowd, which was strong and mostly Indian supporters. This goal, and the confidential manner it was struk spurred the Indian girls go for further kill.

Next minute Gurjit Kaur again converted the only the second penalty corner for an unassailable 3-1 lead. Even before the applause was died down, Korean seemed tired and let a forward surge into the circle. It was Vanada Katariya who struck in her solo to add to the misery of defending champions (4-1). Goalie Jang Sooji came almost to the top edge to block surging Vanadana Katariya, but her swipe missed the ball, on which bounced the agile forward, and whacked the ball into the empty goal before falling down. Seconds on, shadowing Lalrmsiami fell on her to celebrate in style, even as the stands roared and waved tricolour in unison, creating an exciting hockey atmosphere.

Coach Sjored Marinje had a long press briefing after the morale booster of kind, and he deserved all the attention. p>