Finals of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup - Korea Wins Against India in Shoutout

In an astonishing win of 4-2, Korea just missed third strike, while India missed their first, fourth and fifth attempts and converted just two.

On Saturday in Malaysia, South Koreans shocked the favorites, India, by winning in the shootout and lifting the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey title. With the world ranking of number 5, India was a clear choice to lift their sixth Azlan Shah title against the rank 17 Koreans. Moreover, the Indians started in the right earnest, taking the lead early through Simranjeet Singh's field strike in the ninth minute. The Koreans, thereafter, kept the Indian forward line under tight vigil, while also pressing hard in search of the equaliser.

When they were awarded a penalty stroke in the 47th minute, Korea's efforts finally paid dividend. The Indians asked for the video referral, but the penalty decision remained the same and Jang Jong Hyun made no mistake in drawing parity for his side.

Two minutes from the hooter, India earned a penalty corner but to no avail as the match went into shootout.

During the shootout, the Indians missed their first, fourth and fifth attempts, while the Koreans just missed their third strike and emerged as the winners of the contest by 4-2. With this, they lifted the crown for the third time in the history of the invitational tournament.

For the team India, Mandeep Singh, Sumit Kumar Junior and Sumit missed from the one-on-one penalty shoot-out situation. And the experienced Birendra Lakra and Varun Kumar, converted their chances.

For Korea, Jii Woo Cheon, Lee Jungjun, Jung Manjae and Lee Namyong scored.

The young Kishan B Pathak was defending the goal in the shootout for India, in place of experienced PR Sreejesh. Hosts of the tournament, Malaysia, finished third after beating Canada 4-2 in the third-fourth place classification match.

For Indians, the day was filled with missed opportunities as they created numerous scoring chances, but failed to utilise them.

Though India made a couple of circle entries in quick-succession early in the game, the Korean defence was a tough nut to crack.

Accurate, short passes and effective teamwork by forwards Mandeep Singh and Sumit Kumar (Junior) won India a brilliant opportunity to score in the first quarter. A quick assist by Sumit Kumar Junior to Simranjeet earned India its first goal in the ninth minute.

By: Preeti Narula

Content: https://sports.ndtv.com/hockey/sultan-azlan-shah-cup-final-india-lose-to-korea-in-shootout-2015353