Akashdeep Singh strikes golden goal for India’s bronze in the
Junior Asia Cup.
Captain Akashdeep Singh came to the team’s rescue with golden
goal to give India a consolation bronze at the Junior Asia Cup in Malacca
Malaysia.
You Seungji put Korea ahead
in the 47th minute with a immaculate penalty corner
conversion. India replied through lanky Lokesh Thimmmana seven minutes later
through field effort. .
Naveen Antil from the left sprinted past a host of defenders
and sent a perfect cross from sidelines of the circle. Waiting Lokesh guided
the fast cross into the goal, trapping in front of goalie with left hand.
However, thereafter the Korean kept the Indian forwards
under check with neat trap and fast attacks, stretching the game into extra
time.
India had a chance to go up at the end of first extra time,
but Amit Rohidas muffed up his penalty corner flick again.
India launched a counterattack with forwards in tandem which
led to Indian celebration.
Its Lokesh again who showed a clean pair of heels to the defenders
in taking the ball into the circle in second session of the extra time to set
up his captain to do his role.
After a barren first half the game came alive in the next
session with both sides attacking ferociously.
India created umpteen chances to go ahead but it failed to give the finishing touches
the painstakingly women moves.
Indian forwards came close to strike in the 17th,
25th and 29th minutes, but the Korean defence manned by
skipper Yang Jihun, Choic Jihun and You Seungju stood like a rock of Gibraltar.
Indian forwards wasted the chances they painstakingly created, owing to hurried
and misdirected shots.
Korean goalie Lee Seyoung frustrated India in its three
penalty corner attempts.
Indian captain Akashdeep Singh sprinted fast in the penalty
corner counter attack to get India its first penalty corner but failed
miserably to send the rebound in to the open goal. She shot wide from close
range even as the goalie left the cage open.
Sukhdev Singh from the right flank sent two power-packed
crosses mid way through the first half only to Malak Singh and Naveen Antil
fail to anticipate.
Korean captain Yang Johiun’s bad stick tackle gave India a
penaty corner in the closing stages of the first session, but Amit Rohidas
could not keep his flick narrow.
Korea too did not show any acumen in the penalty corner
area. It got a piece in the fifth and 34th minutes. Indian defence
gathered well to keep the score intact.
India today played Malak Singh as main striker in place
of Prabhdeep Singh but it did not work
out, yielding no visible
Korea resorted to long overhead passes to get away the crowding
Indians, and thus got some good penetration.
India had to wage a grim battle in the last phase of second
session to contain the Korean wingers Jeong Young Seok and Im Seung Ho. With
able support from the duo, main striker Hwang Taeil once struck only to be
ruled out by Chinese umpire You Suolong.
