Defending champions India will be looking for an outright win against four-time continental hockey champions South Korea in their final Super 4s round-robin league match as they fight to book a place in the final of the Asia Cup men's hockey tournament in Jakarta on Tuesday, May 31.
India almost clinched a spot in the title clash on Sunday before Razie Rahim turned out to be Malaysia's saviour with a hat-trick in an enthralling 3-3 draw in their second 'Super 4' encounter. Earlier, India defeated Japan 2-1 in their first match on Saturday, May 28.
As the Super 4's table stands, South Korea with a goal difference of +2 (5-3) are on top with India with a goal difference of +1 (5-4) are placed second.
Japan, with two defeats, are out of the reckoning while Malaysia have an outside chance if they can beat Japan by a comprehensive margin of two goals, provided the India and South Korea match ends in a draw. But come Tuesday, the Indians would look to avoid the permutations and combinations with an outright win over the Koreans.
It will be easier said than done as the Koreans look like a completely different side in the Super 4s, having drawn 2-2 against Malaysia and then beating Japan 3-1. Meanwhile, the Indians too upped their game by leaps after their first two pool games. They not only achieved the impossible task of beating hosts Indonesia by more than a 15-goal margin in their last pool match to qualify for the Super 4s but also eked out a close 2-1 win over Japan, who defeated them 2-5 in the preliminary stages.
Against Malaysia on Sunday, the Indians made a valiant fightback and came from two goals down to lead 3-2 in the final quarter before Rahim converted a penalty corner from the final hooter to snatch the win from India's hands, which could have sealed their place in the summit clash.
The Indian forward line looks impressive with the likes of Uttam Singh, SV Sunil, and Pawan Rajbhar shining brightly with their industrious play. In fact, it was Sunil who scored a fine goal against Malaysia from an acute angle after Rajbhar set it up for the former with his powerful play in the midfield.
The Indian side created many chances but the strikers failed to get the decisive touch in the final third, an area which head coach Sardar Singh would want his boys to improve. The midfield also fared well but it is the Birendra Lakra-led back-line that needs to pull up their socks as they conceded unnecessary penalty corners from which the Malaysians benefited.
Suraj Karkera has been impressive under the Indian goalpost, making numerous saves with his alertness and positioning. But against the Koreans, the Indians will have to be at their best as their opponents are known for brisk counterattacks.
Meanwhile, in the other Super 4 match of the day, Japan will play Malaysia.
India's squad:
Goalkeepers - Pankaj Kumar Rajak, Suraj Karkera, Defenders - Rupinder Pal Singh (Captain), Yashdeep Siwach, Abhisek, Birendra Lakra (Vice Captain), Manjeet, Dipsan Tirkey, Midfielders - Vishnukant Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Mareeswaren Sakthivel, Sheshe Gowda BM, Simranjeet Singh, Forwards - Pawan Rajbhar, Abharan Sudev, SV Sunil,Uttam Singh, S.Karthi, Replacement Players - Maninder Singh, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Standbys - Pawan, Pardeep Singh, Ankit Pal, Angad Bir Singh.
