AS EXPECTED South Korea came out of their cocoon to hold India 1-1 in the round robin of the Asia Cup in Dhaka, Bangladesh Wednesday.
The Koreans, battling to qualify for the World Cup, played controlled hockey against world No 6 India.
India, Malaysia and Pakistan have qualified for the 2018 World Cup, and Korea need the gold medal in their hands to make the cut.
Lee Jungjun's 41st minute reverse stick flick gave Korea the lead, but with three minutes remaining in the match, India removed their goalkeeper and used a kicking-back, and Gurjant Singh scored the equaliser in the 60th minute to share points.
Thursday, Malaysia will play South Korea.
RESULTS: Malaysia 3 Pakistan 2, India 1 South Korea 1.
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pts
MALAYSIA 1 1 0 0 3 2 3
INDIA 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
S KOREA 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
PAKISTAN 1 0 0 1 2 3 0
ROUND ROBIN FIXTURES
Oct 19: South Korea v Pakistan (5pm), Malaysia v India (7.30pm).
Oct 21: Malaysia v South Korea (5pm), India v Pakistan (7.30pm).
Note: Malaysian time.