On Thursday, September 12, Indian men’s hockey team continued their dominating run at the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024. After their bronze medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics in August, the Harmanpreet Singh-led side continued to shine as they beat China, Japan, before hammering Malaysia in a goal fest on Wednesday, September 11. On Thursday, India defeated South Korea 3-1 in their fourth round-robin match of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 at the Moqi Training Base in Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia, China.
The match saw two players find themselves on the scoreboard during their win. While Araijeet Singh Hundal started the goal scoring for the Men in Blue with captain Harmanpreet Singh doubling the lead before half-time mark with a penalty corner. The skipper found the back of the net in the third quarter to give India two-goal lead and win the game by 3-1 margin.
India extend lead at Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2024
In the first quarter, India got off to a flying start with Araijeet Singh Hundal striking in the eighth minute of the game. Captain Harmanpreet Singh made it 2-0 with the first penalty corner of the game in the next few minutes. Moreover, with two goals in the opening quarter, India found the back of the net twice in less than two minutes.
However, India failed to get on the scoreboard in the second quarter, Korea got their first of the game with Yang Jihun converting a penalty in the dying minutes. But despite a goal from South Korea, India continued their lead at half-time mark with skipper Harmanpreet Singh giving India a two-goal lead by converting yet another penalty in the third quarter.
The fourth and final quarter saw both teams producing their brilliant game as it saw no goals from either side. Eventually, India got their fourth straight win in the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024. With this comprehensive 3-1 win, India have consolidated their position in the points table with 12 points, seven points ahead of second and third placed teams in Pakistan and South Korea, respectively.
The Harmanpreet Singh and Co. will next take on arch-rivals, Pakistan in their final round-robin match on Saturday, September 14 at 1:30 pm IST at the Moqi Training Base in Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia, China.