Indian hockey's night out

Prabhjot Singh and Rajpal Singh led from the front as India inflicted a humiliating defeat on Korea to defend their Asia Cup hockey crown with an authority rarely seen in recent times. The two forwards had a busy day, striking twice apiece in the 7-2 victory and essaying big roles in the other goals that came India's way. It was a torrent that the Koreans could not escape from, not even during those moments when India were reduced to 10 men. If at all there were blotches on India's victory celebrations, it was the two yellow cards that were flashed at Sardar Singh for dangerous play and Prabhjot Singh for violent tendencies. The situation tended to go out of control when Prabhjot swung his stick with little thought at the stroke of half-time, apparently striking Kim Chul down. The situation was tense but eventually wiser counsel prevailed, leading to a contest that the huge crowd at the Mayor Radhakrishnan stadium will remember for a long time to come. One other occasion which turned out to be a poor advertisement for the game was when the Koreans walked out in protest against a decision by umpire Richmond Attipoe of Ghana, who disallowed a goal. The Koreans were convinced that Hong Sung Kweon's shot was taken from inside the circle when apparently it was not. What must have pricked their ego was the way India launched a breezy counter in the 42nd minute before Rajpal Singh launched a thunderous drive off Sardar for the team's fourth goal. On either side of this poor conduct, Korea were left either finding their feet or their rhythm. The speed, rapid switch of flank attacks and swift passing bouts to the circle were all there but they couldn't crack the Indian maze yet again. India defended in numbers and at times when they were beaten, the lion-hearted goalkeeper Baljit Singh rose to the occasion. The three penalty corners that he saved off Kim Byung Hoon in the second half and two others off the field deservedly fetched him the Player of the final award. Shivendra Singh's early goal again came as a buffer that India were happy to ride on. Jang Jong Hyun's equaliser off a penalty stroke, awarded after Baljit Singh obstructed Yoon Sung Hoon's progress came as a momentary dampener but once S V Sunil angled a corner hit by Dilip Tirkey, India regained their flow in no time. The penalty corners were a worry as Raghunath was again conspicuous by his absence. Dilip worked no wonders, neither did the variations. But they weren't unduly harried by this drawback as they had a frontline capable of delivering the goods. The third goal in the 31st minute projected exactly the Indian's mindset. Prabhjot started the move in his own half before allowing Sardar and Tushar the luxury of a one-two. He joined them late, drew goalkeeper Ko Dong Sik out in a flash before belting home. Rajpal's goal came next and by then, the Koreans were at the end of their tether. Ignace Tirkey's ludicrously simple goal in the 53rd minute reiterated the turmoil in Korea's minds.