Sunday, May 13, 2012

INDIA TAKE THIRD SPOT



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.