Dhaka, Dec 14 (FN Agency) Defending champions India were held by a spirited Korea 2-2 in their opening fixture of the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy here at Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium on Tuesday. Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (3’) and Harmanpreet Singh (33’) scored for India but Korea’s Jonghyun Jang (42’) and Kim Hyeongjin (46’) fought back and forced a draw. “Korea were really good today with their defence and their goalkeeper was quite outstanding. We expected them to give us a hard time and hence it was important we started well,” India captain Manpreet Singh said post-match. “But we couldn’t keep up that momentum going into the third and fourth quarter. Nonetheless, this was the first match of the tournament and we surely will bounce back tomorrow against Bangladesh.” Although India dominated the proceedings in the first and second quarter with better ball possession and higher number of circle penetrations, Korea rallied on a strong defensive approach in the third and fourth quarter to deny any opportunity for India to score.
Lalit gave India an early lead with a field goal which he converted after controlling the ball upon receiving an aerial pass in the attacking circle. The defending champions created another opportunity in the second quarter through Akashdeep Singh’s tomahawk from the left top of the circle. However, Korean goalkeeper Kim Jaehyeon made a fine save to keep India from extending the lead. Jaehyeon saved another one when India won their first penalty corner at the stroke of second quarter. It was Varun Kumar who took the shot which rebounded off Korean goalkeeper’s pads. New comer Mandeep Mor’s attempt off the rebound too was saved by Jaehyeon. India finally extended their lead to 2-0 in the 33rd minute, with Harmanpreet Singh converting a penalty corner. The defending champions tried to create several chances but could not find success as Korea started to make inroads into India’s circle. Korea earned their first penalty corner in the 42nd minute and Jonghyun Jang successfully put the ball past India’s goalkeeper Krishan Pathak. This goal boosted Korea and in the 46th minute Kim Hyeongjin converted a field goal. In the final few minutes, India created penalty corners but could not convert them.