India stunned Korea three goals to two to become the first team to ensure a semifinal berth from Pool B in the men’s Asia Cup on Monday. It was a classic performance by the team, which scored field goals thrice to delight the huge crowd at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium. All the five goals surfaced in the first session.

By S. Thyagarajan

Korea led twice in the match but the Indians recovered well not only to equalize midway through but getting the match winner from a backhander by Prabhjot Singh.

Earlier, the goal riot continued with Pakistan beating Singapore by eight goals to nil, while Japan thrashing Hong Kong 8-0. In another tie, China outplayed Thailand by 13 goals to nil. Japan’s Yamabori and China’s Hu Huiren scored six goals to each to add to the work of the hockey statisticians.

Results Men’s Asia Cup, Monday 3 September 2007:

Pool A:
Japan – Hong Kong 7-1
Pakistan – Singapore 8-0

Ranking: 1. Malaysia 2-6 (21-1), 2. Pakistan 3-6 (15-4), 3. Japan 2-6 (10-2), 4.- Singapore 2-0 (0-16), 5. Hong Kong 3-0 (3-26)

Pool B:
China – Thailand 13-0
Bangladesh – Sri Lanka 3-2
India – Korea 3-2

Ranking: 1. Korea 3-6 (30-5), 2. India 3-9 (24-2), 3. Bangladesh 3-6 (16-8), 4. China 3-6 (19-1), 5. Sri Lanka 3-0 (2-32), 5. Thailand 3-0 (0-42).

Tuesday’s matches: Hong Kong v Singapore (15:00); India v Bangladesh (17:00); Japan v Malaysia (19:00).

Please click here for direct access to the special Men's Asia Cup website.