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South Korea are tough opponents: Sreejesh

Indian hockey team vice-captain PR Sreejesh on Tuesday said their first opponent in the forthcoming 24th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, South Korea, will be a hard nut to crack even if they have had the ascendancy in recent matches against their Asian rivals. India defeated South Korea in the semifinal of the Asian Games. They also overcame the Koreans in the World Cup. But come Sunday, it will be another big challenge for India, Sreejesh admitted. “We met Korea last in the semi-final of the Asian Games. While we won that match we cannot do away with the fact that they are a very competitive and strong team with a good line of attack. To counter them we will have to be strong in all aspects of the game, with clear focus on trying to cash in on the penalty corners. For me, I know they will try every possible way to sneak goals and I am up for the challenge. We will want to start the tournament with a win which will help boost our confidence for the next clash,” the 26-year-old goalkeeper said in a release.

India team members are going through their paces at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here to prepare for the tournament. Sreejesh also felt Gurbaj Singh’s versatility will be a big boost for them in the six-nation tournament that culminates on April 12. “He is growing with every game. I was amazed to see him in the recent Hockey India League. The way he defended and counter attacked was amazing.His speed is the key which helps him to go forward and come back to the defence line in a short span of time. His versatile ability will be a boost to both our defence as well as the strikers in the upcoming tournament,” Sreejesh said of Gurbaj.
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