Goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh dished out a brilliant display as two-time champions India stunned title holders South Korea 2-0 in a Pool B match to breeze into the semi-finals of the Asia Cup men’s hockey tournament here on Monday.
Oman beat Bangaldesh 4-2 in the other match of the day.
Pakistan have already made it to the last four stage from Pool A after beating hosts Malaysia 4-1.
India put up an inspired performance and scored in each half through V.R. Raghunath (6th minute) and Mandeep Singh (65th) to pick up their second win in the eight-nation event.
India, who need to win the tournament to qualify for next year’s World Cup at the Hague, Netherlands, had thumped minnows Oman 8-0 in the tournament opener.
In the first half, India played possession hockey and utilised both flanks to build up their attacks. Sreejesh shone in the opening half as he made as many as six-seven clear saves to keep a clean slate for his team. He also earned the man-of-the-match award.
The Indians stunned Korea early in the match taking the lead through Raghunath. The well-built defender converted India’s first penalty corner with a powerful drag-flick beating goalkeeper Lee Myung Ho.
But thereafter, the Indians were lucky not to have conceded a goal as Korea put the Indian defence under continuous pressure.
The Koreans earned five penalty corners in the opening half but failed to convert any.
While an onrushing Gurmail Singh blocked Nam Hyun Woo’s flick, an outstretched Sreejesh made one of his brilliant saves from Korea’s second short corner a few minutes later.
The Koreans continued in the same vein after the change of ends. But Sreejesh stood like a rock as he made an acrobatic save in the 51st minute to deny Kang Moon Kweon.
Towards the end, it was India’s turn to exert some pressure on the Korean defence.
Young Mandeep took the game away from Korea scoring India’s second goal — his fourth of the tournament — just five minutes from the hooter.