India thump Korea to set-up Asian Hockey Champions Trophy final with China

HULUNBUIR CITY: Skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace and powered India to a crushing 4-1 victory over South Korea in the second semi-final of the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy here at the Moqi Hockey Training Base on Monday.

Defending champions India will now face China in the final on September 17 at the same venue.

The Men in Blue had a dream start to the knockout clash as Uttam Singh opened the scoring for them in the first quarter.

The three-time champions, fuelled with momentum, continued to attack South Korea’s defences and were rewarded in the second quarter when Harmanpreet Singh doubled their lead.

The Men in Blue were even more ruthless in the third quarter.

Just two minutes into the third quarter, midfielder Sumit Walmiki made a sensational aerial switch to Jarmanpreet Singh, who brilliantly brought it down before smashing a stunning goal to make it 3-0 for India.

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South Korea responded within a minute when Yang Jihun pulled one back but his strike eventually turned out to be solitary.

Harmanpreet once again breached Korea’s defence in the dying minutes of the third quarter and restored India’s lead to three goals.

The fourth quarter remained goalless despite several attempts from both sides.

Earlier in the day, former champions Pakistan succumbed to a shock loss at the hands of China in the first Asian Hockey Champions Trophy semi-final in a penalty shoot-out.

The ongoing tournament is the eighth edition of the Asian Champions Trophy. Pakistan have won the tournament in 2012 and 2013, while India have won in 2011, 2016 and 2023.

The 2018 edition saw Pakistan and India jointly sharing the trophy as the final was forfeited due to persistent rain.

Defending champions India won the prestigious tournament last year by defeating Malaysia 4–3 in the final.

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