Korea needed a golden goal to subdue India in the fight for the 3rd and 4th spot in the Sultan of Johor Cup at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium. Though Korea were 2-0 up, India fought back gallantly to draw level on two occasions, only to lose out in extra time.Korea opened scoring in the 7th minute through You Seung Seok who powered a drag flick into the roof of the Indian net. And in the 13th minute Korea went 2-0 ahead thanks to Yoon Dong Hyeon who scored his sixth goal of the tournament.
India were shocked and reduced the deficit when Harpreet Singh converted a penalty stroke. And in the 28th minute India were on level terms when Amit Rohidass converted a penalty stroke.
And India could well have taken the lead in the 30th minute but the effort by Devinder Sunil Walkimi hit the upright and bounced to safety.
Korea struck as soon as the second half began as Yoon Dong Hyeon waltzed through the centre of defence and squared the ball to Hyun Ji Gwang who had the simplest of tasks to scores with Indian custodian Harmanpreet Singh caught out of position.
Though Korea created several chances, including being awarded three penalty corners, they failed to capitalise and that allowed India a second bite at the cherry. And they duly scored the equaliser in the 64th minute through Satbir Singh.
Korea had a chance to seal it in the final minute when they were awarded a penalty stroke 50 seconds from time, but skipper Yang Ji Hun failed to beat Harmanpreet and the match went into extra time.
Korea were awarded a penalty corner 40 seconds before the end of the first half of extra time, and this time Ji Hun made sure that his team finished on the podium with a golden goal winner. -- http://sultanjohorcup.com.my
