Dhaka, Dec 21: Korea defeated Pakistan 6-5 in the Men’s Hockey Asian Champions Trophy semifinal and sealed the spot in the final here on Tuesday. Jang Jong-Hyun scored 4 goals for Korea. Umar Bhutta (2′), Junaid Manzoor (22′), Afraz (29′), Mubashar Ali were the goal scorer for Pakistan.
Pakistan struck in the first three minutes and took an early lead 1-0. Korea earned a golden opportunity in the 14th minute and scored through penalty stroke to equalize 1-1.
In the 12h minute, Korea again scored through a penalty stroke and turned the game in their favour by taking 2-1 lead. With just two minutes left in the first quarter, Pakistan earned three penalty corners but failed to convert into goal.
After the fiery first 15 minutes, there was a bit of calm in the second quarter before Junaid Manzoor scored his first goal in the match and Pakistan levelled the score line 2-2.
Korea earned back-to-back penalty corners with five minutes left in the second quarter, and Jang Jong-Hyun (25′) scored his hat-trick and took Korea 3-2 up in the game. A moment later Pakistan got the opportunity to score through penalty corner but again couldn’t manage to convert.
Korea kept the game in their control with 3-2 lead before Pakistan pushed back and equaled the score line 3-3 in the last few seconds of the second quarter.
In the second half, Pakistan earned penalty corner in the early minutes , but Korean defence denied Pakistan an equaliser with their amazing save. Korea extended their lead to 5-3 with an easy goal in the 30th minute.
Pakistan earned back-to-back penalty corners in the beginning of the last quarter; failed to covert the first but managed to score by converting the other. Pakistan levelled the score line 5-5 with the help of Mubashar Ali’s goal through penalty corner.
Korea turned the momentum with four minutes left on the clock, as Jang Jong scored a crucial match saving goal and sealed the deal. Pakistan tried hard to score in the closing minutes but Koreans thwarted their hope with their defence.
