Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 3 (ANI): Defending champions South Korea started their Asian Champions Trophy crown defence on a successful be aware, defeating Japan 2-1 in a decent match on the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium right here on Thursday.
It all began within the sixth minute, when Ryoma Oooka scored the event’s first objective, earlier than Cheoleon Park equalised within the twenty sixth, sending each groups into half-time even at 1-1.
JungHoo Kim struck the again of the web simply 5 minutes into the third quarter to place Japan forward. The Koreans then launched a collection of persistent strikes. However, the Japanese defence held agency to earn the three factors.
Japan made a robust begin within the first half. The Samurai Japan counterattacked on each flanks and managed to keep away from South Korea’s press by taking part in the ball softly out of tight areas. They additionally defended in numbers, making it robust for South Korea to penetrate their circle and rating.
When the Koreans obtained the ball to the sting of the 30-yard circle, they had been met with a swarm of blue shirts. Japan jumped on the counter after slicing the passes into the circle.
South Korea took the lead early within the second half when Jung Hoo Kim put the ball into the web after gathering a move from the correct. Korea raced forward on the counter, not permitting Japan’s defence to recuperate in time, permitting Kim to go forward of his marker and rating.
Then it was Korea’s probability to shut the gaps and assault on the break, forcing Japan to grab the initiative. Japan got here close to to tying the sport within the fourth quarter, however Korea’s Jaehyeon closed the hole and blocked a close-range alternative.
On Thursday, an environment friendly Malaysian crew defeated a younger Pakistan crew 3-1 on the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium of their first Asian Champions Trophy match. Pakistan completed aggressively however was undone by errors, as Malaysia’s Faizal Saari delighted spectators with three assists within the victory.
Malaysia seized the initiative to create the tempo on the ball, whereas Pakistan sought to disrupt Malaysian passes in its personal half and catch their defence up the pitch. Muhammed Khan’s penalty corners had been misplaced, and Hafizuddin Othman made quite a few key saves all through the sport. Khan had a dismal recreation, with no targets to point out for his penalty nook hits.
With three minutes remaining within the second quarter, Faizal and Ashari related twice to provide Malaysia a merited 2-0 lead on the interval. Faizal was noticed in house, and the midfielder delivered a move via Aqeel Ahmad’s legs to search out Ashari, who circled the keeper to attain. Pakistan misplaced the ball on the midway line instantly after the restart, and Faizal danced his well past the Pakistan defenders to play in an unmarked Ashari, who had the easy job of placing it previous Akmal Hussain.
Pakistan had alternatives to succeed in the Malaysian circle early within the second half however squandered them as a consequence of poor decision-making.
Malaysia scored their third objective in opposition to the run of play when Rahim discovered Faizal down the correct channel, who sprinted half the size of the pitch and into the circle earlier than establishing a simple end for Shello Silverius. Silverius afterwards suffered an damage as effectively.
Malaysia breathed a sigh of reduction as Hafizuddin remained alert late within the second half with a run of massive saves. He obtained a foot to Abdul Shahid’s tomahawk earlier than saving a penalty stroke off Abdul Rana after which a sprawling hop to maintain Abdul Rehman’s close-range effort out. But, with 5 minutes remaining, Rehman would rating with a end from the left. (ANI)