Johor Bahru, Sept 26:
India thrashed Korea 6-1 in their penultimate round-robin match to virtually seal their place in the final of the Sultan of Johor Cup Under-21 hockey tournament here today.
The Indian colts scored three goal each in either half at the Taman Daya Hockey stadium to continue their unbeaten run in the six-nation tournament.
It was India’s fourth win on the trot in the tournament, having defeated England (2-1), Argentina (3-2) and Pakistan (4-0) in their previous matches.
For India, Amit Rohidas (7th minute), Satbir Singh (9th), Talwinder Singh (31st) netted three goals in the first half, while Amon Mirash Tikey (57th), Ramadeep Singh (62nd) and vice-captain Affan Yusof (65th) score three more on the other side of the break.
Korea’s lone goal came from the stick of You Seung Ju in the 34th minute.
With 12 points in their kitty, India are at the top of the league standings and will play hosts and second-placed Malaysia in their last round-robin match on Saturday.
Against Korea, the Indians came up with a commanding performance and dominated the share of exchanges in the first half with a comfortable 3-0 lead.
It took India just seven minutes to open the scoring through drag-flicker Rohidas who converted a penalty corner with precision that Korean goalkeeper Lee Se Young had no answer.
India doubled their lead two minutes later through a field goal from Satbir after he was set up by Harjeet Singh.
Talwinder made it 3-0 for the Indians four minutes from half time through another field strike.
The Koreans, however, managed to pull one back three minutes later when You Seung Ju scored from a penalty corner.
India slowed down the pace after the lemon break and conceded a few penalty corners but the Koreans failed to utilise the scoring chances. (PTI)
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