Unbeaten Indian Men's Hockey Team to face four-time Asian Games Champions Korea in 1st Semi-Final in Hangzhou

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As the team captained by captain Harmanpreet Singh takes on four-time champion Korea in the first semi-final on Wednesday, they will be up against their greatest test yet at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2022.

After defeating Bangladesh 12-0 on Monday, dominant India finished the Pool Stage as the tournament's best team.

India won 15 points after winning all five of their games in Pool A, and they remain unbeaten in the competition. At the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, India was in a similar situation going into the Semi-Finals, however they lost to Malaysia 2-2 (6-7), missing out on the chance to take home the Gold. According to Harmanpreet Singh, the team will approach the match against Korea with a cheerful attitude and is careful to not take any opposition lightly.

"We have started strongly in the tournament and have won all our Pool stage matches, which has given us a lot of confidence going into the final stages of the competition. We will enter into the 1st Semi-Final with a positive mindset, but we are also cautious that we do not allow ourselves to take any opposition lightly and are well-prepared to adapt ourselves against our opposition whenever needed," Harmanpreet Singh said.

Korea last won the Asian Games trophy in 2006 in Doha, while India last won it in Incheon, Korea, in 2014. India has thus far defeated Uzbekistan 16-0, Singapore 16-1, Japan 4-2; Pakistan 10-2; Bangladesh 12-0; Uzbekistan 16-0; Japan; Singapore 16-1; Pakistan; and Uzbekistan.

On the other hand, while Korea defeated Indonesia 10-0 and Thailand 10-0 as well, the World No. 12 suffered a shocking 2-3 defeat at the hands of World No. 22 China in the Pool Stage. Korea bounced back with a 4-3 win over Malaysia and a 16-2 win over Oman to make it to the Semi-Finals.

"In a long tournament, it is all about making correct decisions on the field and off the field. We know Korea's strengths and their defensive capabilities. They are a strong unit and have done exceedingly well in the tournament so far. We know of their track record at the Asian Games, and hence, we know we have to put our best foot forward to ensure we do not allow them any room to surprise us on the field," Harmanpreet Singh added.

India's last few meetings against Korea are a testament to how close the competition has been between the two nations. At the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 in August this year, India had to fight hard to pick up a close 3-2 win over the opposition. Last year, at the Hero Asia Cup 2022, India drew 4-4 against Korea, and at the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Dhaka 2021, the two sides drew 2-2 as well.

Since 2013, the two teams have squared off 17 times, in which India have won 8, while 6 have ended in a draw. Korea have won three games between the two teams.

"Korea have traditionally been a tough opponent for us. But having played them recently has given us an idea of what we can expect in the upcoming game," Indian Men's Hockey Team Chief Coach Craig Fulton said.

"We know that Korea are defensively very strong and how dangerous they can be with their counter-attacks. So, we have to be ready to defend in numbers whenever we are out of possession. Modern hockey requires players to run the entire length of the pitch, and the fitness levels of our players will be tested against Korea, especially in the hot weather conditions. It will also be crucial to get early goals to get ourselves in a good situation, and not allow the opposition to get comfortable," he signed off.