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16-1, defending champions Japan 4-2, arch-rivals Pakistan 10-2 and Bangladesh 12-0 in its Pool A matches.
India had been in an analogous place heading into the semi-finals on the 2018 Asian Games however went down 6-7 to Malaysia in shoot-off after the match resulted in 2-2 draw.
While India final received the Asian Games gold in 2014 in Incheon, Korea’s final title got here means again in 2006 Doha.
India captain Harmanpreet is conscious in regards to the job at hand.
“We have started strongly in the tournament and have won all our pool matches, which has given us a lot of confidence going into the final stages of the competition. We will enter into the semi-final with a positive mindset,” the ace drag-flicker stated.
“But we are also cautious that we do not allow ourselves to take any opposition lightly and are well-prepared to adapt ourselves against our opposition whenever needed.”
Harmanpreet himself is in scintillating type as he scored as many as 12 targets thus far within the match.
Initially the Indians struggled with penalty corners regardless of incomes a handful however because the match progressed the likes of Harmanpreet, Varun Kumar and Amit Rohidas bought their acts collectively to improved their conversion price.
Besides penalty corners, the Indians additionally discovered the online constantly from area play because the likes of Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Gurjant Singh and Abhishek mixed effectively upfront.
Young Abhishek has seemed spectacular in all of the matches as he has not solely scored targets however mixed effectively with Mandeep to set it up for the latter.
The midfield led by Olympic medal-winning captain Manpreet Singh and comprising Hardik Singh, Nilakanta Sharma seemed compact.
But going into the business finish of the continental showpiece, the key concern for India’s chief coach Craig Fulton would be the lack of involvement of his defensive line-up within the pool phases.
Barring the match in opposition to Japan, the Indian backline was hardly examined and it stays to be seen the way it will react and reply when put underneath strain.
Indian goalkeepers — veteran PR Sreejesh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak had been mere spectators within the pool phases and barring a number of cases, they had been hardly concerned within the video games.
The 4-2 scoreline in opposition to Japan would possibly look as an in depth match however opposite to the ultimate end result, the Indians dominant the complete proceedings and a slight blip within the closing 5 minutes price them the 2 targets.
But Korea received’t be a cakewalk and the Indians know that very effectively.
“In a long tournament, it is all about making correct decisions on the field and off the field. We know Korea’s strengths and their defensive capabilities. They are a strong unit and have done exceedingly well in the tournament so far,” Harmanpreet stated.
“We have to put our best foot forward to ensure we do not allow them any room to surprise us on the field.”
India’s previous couple of conferences in opposition to Korea are a testomony to how shut the competitors has been between the 2 nations. At the Asian Champions Trophy earlier this 12 months, India needed to battle onerous to choose up an in depth 3-2 win.
Last 12 months, on the Asia Cup, India drew 4-4 in opposition to Korea, and on the Asian Champions Trophy in 2021, the 2 sides had been tied 2-2 as effectively.
Since 2013, the 2 groups have squared off 17 instances, wherein India have received 8, whereas 6 have resulted in a draw. Korea have received three video games.
“Korea have traditionally been a tough opponent for us. But having played them recently has given us an idea of what we can expect in the upcoming game,” chief coach Fulton stated.
Source: www.news18.com
