Picture Credit: X

Picture Credit: X

On Monday, September 16, India defeated South Korea 4-1 to reach the final of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024, at the Moqi Training Base in Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia, China. The captain of India, Harmanpreet Singh, scored two goals, while Uttam Singh and Jarmanpreet Singh registered their names on the scoresheet once, in a comprehensive win for the Men in Blue in the semi-final, and because of that, they will be taking on hosts China in the final in less than 24 hours time.

In the first quarter, India steadily built pressure on the South Korean defence with regular circle penetrations, which yielded a goal for them seconds before the hooter blew as Uttam Singh slotted the cross ball into the back of the net. The second quarter saw India earn a few penalty corners, and their captain Harmanpreet Singh converted one of them in the 21st minute, making it 2-0 scoreline in favour of them.

After the half-time break, India continued with their attacking play, scoring their third goal of the evening in the 32nd minute via Jarmanpreet Singh, to put themselves a step closer to the summit clash of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024. South Korea scored their first goal in the next minute after Yang Jihun converted his second penalty corner attempt, to keep themselves in the contest before Harmanpreet Singh made it 4-1 in favour of India at the end of the third quarter with a lethal penalty corner.

In the final quarter, South Korea earned a couple of penalty corners apart from Amit Rohidas of India getting a green card, but they were unable to take advantage of the situations. With that, India will play in the final of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 against China, who had defeated Pakistan in the other semi-final earlier today in the penalty shootout 2-0 after the full-time scoreline read 1-1.