Indian women hockey team defeats South Korea; takes lead by 2-0 in five-match series

NewsBharati    06-Mar-2018
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Incheon, March 6: The Indian women's hockey team on Tuesday registered an emphatic victory over South Korea by 3-2 in the second match of the five-match series at the Jinchun National Athletic Centre in Incheon. After winning this match, Indian women's hockey team have taken 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

 

It was Poonam Rani, skipper Rani and Gurjit Kaur who scored a goal each and contributed to India’s win. While Yurim Lee and Jungeun Seo scored a goal for South Korea. India keeping its dominance on the field, started the first quarter aggressively by making attacking forays inside the opposition's half. They were rewarded for their efforts when Poonam scored to give her side the lead.

On the other side, South Korea also had chances in the first quarter and was awarded two Penalty Corners. Yurim Lee grabbed the opportunity and made a comeback by converting the first goal for her country. The second quarter saw South Korea start off with back-to-back Penalty Corners to put India under pressure.


However, the visitors kept their nerves under control stuck and they defended well with young goalkeeper Swati making crucial saves to deny the hosts. With the pressure piling on India, it was a brilliant team-move from the visitors on the counter which saw captain Rani find the back of the net to give her team an important 2-1 lead in the 27th minute of the match.

The teams went into half-time with India leading by 2-1, but with South Korea having better chances in the opening half-hour. India did not start the third quarter well as in the 31st minute, Seo scored a field goal to equalize for the second time in the match.

Replying to the attack of South Korean players, India's forwards produced some precise passing to win a Penalty Corner in the 32nd minute which was well-converted by Gurjit Kaur. Later, Indian defence stood like a wall in front of the Koreans and helped visitors to clinch the second successive match. Indian hockey team won the first match by 1-0. India will play their third match of the five-match series against South Korea on March 8.