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India takes Junior Asia Cup hockey
crown
WSN Network
 HYDERABAD:
Riding on
two stupendous penalty corner conversions including a golden goal by
Diwakar Ram,
India
snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to retain the juniorAsia
Cup. Enthralling the packed stands, the hosts made a stunning
comeback to beat Korea 3-2 in the nail-biting final at the
Gachibowli Stadium here on Friday. At 0-2 in the 59th minute, SV
Sunil converted a free-hit from Diwakar Ram toreduce margin. Three
minutes later India were awarded a penalty corner when Sunil was
obstructed.
Earlier, Korea’s
Nam Hyun Woo scored two goals for his team in the 7th and the 53rd
minutes. Korea were reduced to 10 men in the 57thminute when Jeon
Byung Jin was shown the yellow card. India capitalised on the this
opportunityand slammed two goals before Jin came back. Korea tried
hard in the last few minutes but goalkeeper Sreejesh Raveendran did
a great job to deter them. The match went in to extra-time.
With the golden
goal to decide their fate, the teams played attacking hockey. In the
fifth minute, Vivek beat three Koreans, came oneon- one with Lee
Yong Kuk whom he beat with a backstick drive and passed the ball to
Sunil, who was lurking in the middle. However, the Korean keeper
made the fatal error of squatting on the ball while tryingto foil
Sunil right on the edge of the circle. The referee had no hesitation
in awarding the penalty corner. The man for the occasion was none
other than Ram. The UP lad did not disappoint. While the Koreans
were expecting the ball to the right side, considered to be
Diwakar’s favourite side, the Indian displayed alarming calmness as
he dragged a full-blooded shot to the left. It was enough to ignite
wild celebrations. Earlier in the play off for the third place,
Pakistan drubbed Japan 7-2.
23
July, 2008
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