Five years. That is how long the Indian men's hockey team took to finally beat South Korea when the hosts overcame the defending champions 3-2 at the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai on Monday. The win sealed India's semi-final entry.
In that period, the Harmanpreet Singh-led team beat world No.1 Netherlands, Olympic champions Belgium, No.3 England, world champions Germany and seven-time Commonwealth Games champions Australia. But world No.9 South Korea were a thorn in the flesh for India, always finding that extra bit when they faced India.
World No.4 India last beat the Asia Cup champions at the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat before losing one and drawing three contests. The Craig Fulton-coached side ended that wait by earning a pivotal victory against a resurgent Korea, who were the undisputed kings of Asia from the late 1980s to 2000s.
While their form dwindled in the past decade, failing to qualify for the last two Olympics and the 2018 World Cup, Korea under coach Shin Seok Kyo, who was part of the team that won the 2000 Olympics silver and Asian Games gold in 1994 and 2002, has been helping revive their form. Korea won the 2021 Asian Champions Trophy in Dhaka and the 2022 Asia Cup in Jakarta and were the only team from the continent to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup in January.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
He was a dictator: Ayushmann recalls getting thrashed by father as a child
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana has revealed that his late father, astrologer P Khurana, was very strict and would often thrash him with 'chappals' and 'belts,. Khurrana, renowned for his roles in films such as Vicky Donor (2012) and Article 15 (2019), went as far as describing his father as a \"dictator\".
Aamir Khan: My daughter Ira and I go to joint therapy
Actor Aamir Khan, 59, has shared his ongoing efforts to rebuild his relationship with his daughter, Ira Khan, 27, in an unexpected yet heartfelt revelation.
DILJIT VS TELANGANA: A WAR OF WORDS
Diljit Dosanjh takes on government's dictate on his songs and says declare the state dry, and he will tweak his songs
Sunny Kaushal: It's time to allow men to be vulnerable
For actor Sunny Kaushal, the definition of masculinity is ever-evolving. \"It depends on how you feel and how you want to take it forward in your own way,\" he muses.
England thrash Ireland; Rabiot rises for France
England blew away l O-man Republic of Ireland 5-0 to wrap up promotion to the Nations League top flight as four players netted their first international goals on Sunday, while Adrien Rabiot scored twice as France beat Italy.
With Malaysia draw, India end year without win
The 1-1 draw against Malaysia, Rahul Bheke cancelling Paulo Josue's strike, meant India would end 2024 without a win from 11 matches, a first since 2014.
Sinner, a shift in power centre
The Italian world No.l was the flag-bearer in a men's tennis season that saw the new generation assert itself
Udita driving India's fine run in Rajgir
Many were surprised when Udita Duhan ended as the costliest buy at 32 lakh in the Hockey India League auction last month, proving to be more expensive than FIH Player of the Year and Paris Olympics top-scorer Yibbi Jansen.
After Paris low, Satwik-Chirag to return at the China Masters
India's finest men's badminton doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will return to action after a gap of three-and-a-half months, at this week's $1.15 million China Masters at Shenzhen.
Form across formats will dictate franchise interest at IPL auction
Recency bias has always influenced the bidding no matter how scientific and data driven the process becomes
