Malacca, Malaysia: India beat South Korea 2-1 by a ‘golden goal’ to claim bronze medal in the 7th Junior Men’s Asia Cup Hockey Tournament played at MBM Stadium in Malacca, Malaysia on Sunday.
Tied 1-1 at the end of the final hooter, Indian Skipper Akashdeep Singh strikes the golden goal for India’s bronze medal.
India and South Korea both played a defensive game, but Korea took the lead in the 47th minute with the goal scored by You Seungji through a penalty corner. In an attempt to level the score, India started pressing and made some good penetrations into the circle and seven minutes later Lokesh Thimmana scored a field goal. Naveen Antil from the left sprinted past a host of defenders and sent a perfect cross from the sidelines of the circle. Waiting Lokesh guided the fast cross into the goal, trapping in front of goalkeeper with left hand.
India launched a counter attack with forwards in tandem which led to the Indian celebration.
It was Lokesh again who showed a clean pair of heels to the defenders in taking the ball into the circle in the second session of extra time to set up his captain, who played his role. 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.
Indian defence and midfield was compact with Vice-Captain Amit Rohidas, Sukhmanjit Singh, Pardeep More and Harjeet Singh.
