India lose to South Korea

India paid the price of a listless show in defence as they squandered a two-goal advantage and went down 2-3 to South Korea to begin their Azlan Shah campaign on a losing note here today.

The double defending champions were leading 2-0 till the 31st minute when the South Koreans, the joint champions with India last year, pierced open the Indian defence with their brisk pace to begin the fightback before pumping in three goals.

India, outright winners of the Azlan Shah Cup in 2009 and joint champions in 2010, failed to match the speed of the Korean side, who at one stage were reduced to nine players after the referee flashed green cards to two players following their vehement protest, resulting to their temporary suspension.

It was South Korea who forced an early penalty corner in the eighth minute but Hong Eun-Song shot wide. India took the lead in the 20th minute from their first penalty corner with Diwakar Ram sounding the board with a powerful grounder after Dhananjay Mahadik squared the ball to him.

Three minutes later, the Koreans got another penalty corner and a mid-field ruckus followed after umpire Martin Madden signalled that Hong Eun-Song’s shot had gone wide to the right.

The Koreans protested strongly, arguing that the ball had gone through the goal netting and play was held up. — PTI