3rd Sultan of Johor Cup: Rampaging India wallop Korea 6-1 to virtually seal final spot
File Photo: Indian hockey team celebrating
Indian junior men’s hockey team extended its winning run in the 3rd Sultan of Johor Cup when they knocked the stuffing out of the Koreans with a 6-1 result at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru, Malaysia on Thursday.
With this win, the Manpreet Singh-led Indian outfit has virtually assured itself of a place in the final showdown. India have logged 12 points from four games and will play their last league tie against Malaysia on Saturday.
India pressed the attack button from the word go and forged ahead in the 7th minute when Amit Rohidas whipped home a drag-flick, which beat the Korean goal-keeper Lee Se Young all ends up.
The early goal perked up the Blueshirts, who soon doubled the lead through Satbir Singh – the youngster playing in his third consecutive 3rd Sultan of Johor Cup, tapped home a Harjeet Singh move.
Korean were pushed on the backfoot by the Indian onslaught. The Blueshirts towered over them and soon racked up the third goal close to half time. Talwinder Singh rattled the Korean cage in the 31st minute.
The Redshirts hit back, producing the margin-reducer when You Seung Ju converted a penalty corner in the 34th minute.
India took it easy in the early stages of the second half but soon pressed on the accelerator – Amon Mirash Tikey netted India’s fourth goal in the 57th minute.
Trailing 0-4, the Koreans were literally were out of the contest and their woes were further compounded when Ramandeep Singh slammed home the fifth goal in the 62nd minute – his fifth goal of the tournament.
Vice-captain Yusof Affan completed the winning formalities notching up the sixth goal in the 65th minute.
This was India’s first win over Korea in the Sutlan of Johor Cup.
It may be worth recalling that hosts Malaysia had won the inaugural Sultan of Johor Cup in 2011, pipping Australia 3-2 on golden goal.
Germany won the second Sultan of Johor Cup in 2012, edging out India 3-2. Significantly, the defending champions are not taking part in the 2013 edition.