P R Sreejesh produced a brilliant display under the bar as two-time champions India stunned title holders South Korea 2-0 in a Pool B match to breeze into the semifinals of the Asia Cup hockey tournament, on Monday.
India’s arch-rivals Pakistan have already made it to the last four stage from Pool A after beating hosts Malaysia 4-1. The Indians put up an inspired performance and scored a goal in each half through V R Raghunath (6th minute) and Mandeep Singh (65th) to pick up their second win in the eight-nation event. India, who need to win the tournament to qualify for next year’s World Cup at The Hague, Netherlands, had thumped minnows Oman 8-0 in their tournament opener.
India will play Bangladesh in their last pool match on Wednesday while Korea will be up against Oman.
Debutants Oman sent higher-ranked Bangladesh out of the semifinal race while keeping their hopes alive with a stunning 4-2 win in a Pool B match of the ninth Asia Cup hockey tournament on Monday. By virtue of this victory, 36th ranked Oman avenged their 1-4 drubbing at the hands of the same opponents in the FIH World League Round 2 in New Delhi earlier this year.
Oman capitalised on Bangaldesh’s fragile backline and scored through Hashim Ghanim Ramadan Al Shatri (29th), Mohammad Hoobais Al Shar (43rd), Rajab Bhasin Khatar (45th, 59th) to register the upset win and their first points in the tournament. For Bangaldesh, Mohammad Roman Sarkar (53rd) and captain Md Mamunur Rahman Chayan (69th) were the goal-getters in the match.