India continued its unbeaten run with a comprehensive 5-0 win against Korea in its last league match on November 2 to stay on top of the table at the Jharkhand Asian Champions Trophy, dominating the opponents and setting up a rematch in the semifinal. The knockout games on November 4 will be a repeat of November 2nd’s fixtures with China and Japan facing off yet again in the other semifinal while Malaysia and Thailand will battle for the 5th spot.
For a team sitting pretty at the top with little to lose, India came out all guns blazing which took Korea by surprise. It was attacking, aggressive play and there was no breathing space for the Asian Games silver medalist. India was intense, relentless and unstoppable and squeezed the Koreans every time they managed to get the ball, which wasn’t too often. There was a desperation to get back possession and it was refreshing to see the Indians being proactive on the turf rather than reactive to the situation.
India controlled the pace of the game and Korea constantly played catch-up. India had an easy chance early on before being denied by a desperate clearance by Yuri Lee on the goalline but it was only a matter of time before the host stuck, Salima Tete providing the finishing touch to Sangita Kumari’s brilliant work on the left flank.
