NEW DELHI: Defending champions South Korea secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Japan in the opening match of the Asian Champions Trophy at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.
The game began with an early goal in the sixth minute scored by Ryoma Oooka, giving Japan the lead. However, South Korea responded well, and Cheoleon Park managed to equalise in the 26th minute, resulting in a 1-1 scoreline at halftime.