India beat South Korea 4-1; to face China in the final
India advanced to the Asian Champions Trophy hockey final in Hulunbuir, China by defeating South Korea 4-1 in a dominant semi-final at the Mogi Hockey Training Base on Monday, September 16.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace, while Uttam Singh and Jermanpreet Singh each scored a goal to assist India in maintaining their strong performance in the regional tournament. India will face China in the final slated for Tuesday, September 17th.
India showcased their enhanced capability to score field goals with Uttam and Jermanpreet scoring, while Harmanpreet proved to be crucial during penalty corners. India had 20 circle entries, which was four more than South Korea, and they controlled possession. Uttam took the lead for India in the opening quarter by redirecting a left-sided cross, applying early pressure on the South Korean defense.
Also read: Asian Champions Trophy: India beat Pakistan 2-1 to enter semi-finals
China shock Pakistan in the first semi-final
Earlier on, Pakistan were shocked by China in the first semi-final match.
The first semifinal of the day definitely met expectations as China immediately posed a significant challenge to Pakistan’s chances of reaching the final.
They displayed determination in their pursuit, controlled the possession and generated opportunities early on. China received tremendous backing from the local fans, who showed up in droves due to it being a national holiday for the Mooncake Festival, a popular post-autumn harvest celebration in China.
