KARACHI, 25 April 2004 — Favorites India and title-holders South Korea swept aside minnows Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei to sail into the semifinals of the 5th Junior Asia Cup here at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium yesterday.
India, aiming for their first Junior Asia Cup crown, routed Bangladesh 10-0 while South Korea faced some anxious moments before thumping Chinese Taipei 8-2 to join hosts Pakistan and Malaysia in the last four.
Striker Tushar Handker scored a hat trick while short corner ace Sandeep Singh hit two more to boost his chances of finishing as the top tournament’s top scorer.
The goal-hungry Indians went ahead 1-0 in the very first minute with a superb goal by Handker. Skipper Sandeep Michael, counted among the most experienced players in the event, made it 2-0 just a couple of minutes later. He was back into action in the 7th minute with a brilliant solo run from the right, assisting Girish Pimpale to score India’s third.
Birender Lakra and Handker added two more to give India a 5-0 lead in the first session. Sandeep Singh then converted two of the four short corners he executed. Vivek Gupta, Hari Prasad and Handker were the other second half scorers assuring that India record yet another double digit result in the competition.
Indian coach Harindera Singh later admitted his team could not expect a similar scoreline against Malaysia in a crucial match today. “I respect Malaysia. They are a good side and we will have to play with a different strategy against them,” he said.
The huge win helped India remain on top of Pool B and now even a draw against top group rivals Malaysia will be enough for them to finish on top.
While India dominated the proceedings during the entire mismatch, South Korea trailed lowly Chinese Taipei 1-2 till the 38th minute before a flurry of goals in the second session helped them claim their third straight win in a row. Tu-Chang Lee scored both the goals for Taipei.
The Koreans, playing with their reserve defenders, went up 1-0 through a short corner strike by Sung Kweon Hong in the 7th minute but were in for a surprise when Taipei tore apart their defense scoring through Lee to make it 1-1. Lee struck again in the 20th minute to give his side a stunning 2-1 lead.
The defending champions, however, found their rhythm in the second session scoring seven goals to rack up a comprehensive win. Jong Hyun Hang, introduced late in the first session, converted two short corners while Min Ho Yoo and skipper Eun Seong Hong also had two goals each through field attempts. Yong Hwan Kim completed the rout with a goal just two minute from the final whistle.
The Koreans now meet hosts Pakistan in a much-awaited Pool A clash today. The winners will finish on top of the group and play the runners-up of Pool B in the semifinals.
