Asian Games 2023: India's Men's Hockey Team Beats Korea 5-3 to Advance to the Finals

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The Indian Men's Hockey Team defeated Korea 5-3 in the opening semifinal on Wednesday to go to the final of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou 2022.

In order to win the gold medal and a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics, India will compete against the winner of the second Semi-Final between Japan and China. India's goals came from Hardik Singh (5'), Mandeep Singh (11'), Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (15'), Amit Rohidas (24'), and Abhishek (54'). For Korea, Manjae Jung scored a hat-trick (17', 20', and 42').

India immediately entered deep into Korea's half when the game began to challenge their defence. With a powerful shot into the nets after grabbing a rebound within the circle, Hardik Singh (5') gave India a head start. Nilakanta Sharma made a commendable job of pursuing the Korean forward as they attempted to attack from the left flanks. A few minutes later, India doubled their advantage with an incredible team goal. Gurjant Singh intercepted a long ball into the circle and threw it to Mandeep Singh (11'), who deflected it into the goal. India led 3-0 at the end of the first quarter as Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (15') tapped the ball into the nets after grabbing a rebound.

Korea began advancing quickly inside India's half despite being three goals behind and was awarded a penalty corner right away. Korea scored a goal in the 17th minute through Manjae Jung, who made the most of a set-piece variation. Manjae Jung (20') deflected the ball past Indian custodian PR Sreejesh as Korea continued to put the Indian defence to the test from the left sides, helping Korea cut the deficit even more. After scoring a strong dragflick from a penalty corner to make it 4-2, Amit Rohidas (24') released some of India's strain. India led 4-2 at the break and kept on guard defensively to thwart any additional assaults.

India attempted to score early in the second half, but Mandeep Singh was stopped in his tracks by the Korean defence after making a risky move. To get past the Korean defence, Hardik Singh displayed superb stick technique, and he eventually made it into the circle. However Sukhjeet Singh's pass was intercepted by Seunghoon Lee. Manjae Jung (42') scored once more to complete his hat-trick and make it 3-4 for Korea after Korea gained a late penalty corner. India continued to lead by one goal as the cagey third quarter came to a close.

Korea started a fantastic move from the right baseline while still trailing by one goal, but the attack was stopped by a risky high pass. Korea continued to press far within India's half, despite attempts by Hardik Singh and Mandeep Singh to join in the midfield and build an assault. By latching onto a loose ball inside the circle and launching a tremendous tomahawk into the netting to increase India's lead to 5-3, Abhishek (54') finally shattered Korean defence. While Korea attempted to worry India's defence, Sanjay made critical interceptions. In order to win the game 5-3 and advance to the Final, India was able to hold off the opposition.

On Friday, October 6, 2023, the Indian Men's Hockey Team will play in the championship game.