Asian Champions Trophy Highlights – Hosts India sealed their second successive victory in the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy on Monday, 7th August 2023. The Men in Blue clinched a 3-2 victory against South Korea to confirm their spot in the semifinal. Earlier, Malaysia also booked semifinal spot. The Speedy Tigers beat Japan 3-1 in the first match of the day. Pakistan meanwhile clinched the first win in the tournament. The Green Shirts defeated China 2-1.
Also Read: Asian Champions Trophy Highlights: India secure 5-0 win against Malaysia
Hockey Asian Champions Trophy Fixtures
Malaysia BEAT Japan – 3-1
Pakistan BEAT China – 2-1
India BEAT South Korea – 3-2
Malaysia vs Japan
Malaysia fought off a late surge from Japan to secure a 3-1 win and keep their semifinal hopes alive in the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy. The win took Malaysia to nine points after three wins and one loss.
Coming off from a 0-5 thrashing at the hands of India, Malaysia took the lead in the first quarter through when Jazlan’s drag-flick. Against the run of play, Malaysia doubled the lead as Hamsani fired the ball into the net after being brilliantly set up by Fitri Saari. Silverius made it 3-0 in the final minute after being set up Hamsani at the far post.
Silverius took a couple of touches to deceive the keeper before striking the ball into the net. Moments later, Takuma struck Japan’s first goal but it was too little too late.
Pakistan vs China
Goals from Muhammad Khan and Afraz helped Pakistan eke out a 2-1 victory over China to stay in the race for the semifinals.
It was goalless at the end of the first quarter. Five minutes into the second quarter, Pakistan earned a penalty corner and Muhammad Khan successfully converted it to give his side the lead.
After a couple of more chances for Pakistan, including a penalty corner, it led 1-0 at the half-time break. Two minutes following the restart, China showed some urgency and earned a penalty corner in the process, which was converted into a goal by Jiesheng Gao to draw level.
Nevertheless, in the 39th minute, Pakistan restored their lead, thanks to some passing game through skipper Umar Bhutta and Abdul Rana before Afraz angled it into the goal. e Pakistanis managed to hold on to the slender lead to take home the three points at full-time in the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy.
India vs South Korea
Nilakanta Sharma put India in lead with his sixth-minute strike. Sharma was at the right place as he put the ball into the Korea net after Sukhjeet, having received the ball from Sumit Shamsher Singh, dribbled past two defenders and passed it to the scorer.
India’s joy was short-lived as the Koreans came back with the equaliser barely six minutes later, Kim Sunghyun driving the ball past home team goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak, who was playing in his 100th international game. The assist was provided by Manjae Jung.
India, however, regained their lead as Harmanpreet Singh struck off a penalty corner in the 23rd minute, hitting it low to the right of the keeper much to the joy of the spectators present at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium.
Mandeep Singh made it 3-1 with his 33rd minute strike, consolidating India’s position in the match. Yang Jihun pulled one back for Korea in the 58th minute but India held on to the lead in the final two minutes.
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