HANGZHOU: India's men's hockey team has reached the final of the Asian Games, marking their return to the pinnacle of the sport after an agonizing 8-year hiatus. Their journey to the final was nothing short of spectacular, culminating in a thrilling encounter against South Korea on a fateful Wednesday, October 4th, in Hangzhou, China.
Right from the pushback, the Indian team exhibited dominance and control that set the tone for the match. It didn't take long for them to break the deadlock, with Hardik converting a finely executed effort. Mandeep, who had an early attempt narrowly miss the mark, doubled the lead in the 11th minute, sending the fans into a frenzy. Just before the first-quarter hooter, Lalit Upadhyay added to India's tally, making it 3-0, a commanding lead.
However, South Korea was not to be underestimated. The second quarter saw them launch a spirited comeback, quickly notching a goal from a penalty corner variation through M Jung in the 17th minute. Three minutes later, it was Jung again who struck, narrowing the margin to 3-2 and injecting a sense of urgency into the contest.
India responded resolutely, restoring their two-goal lead with a precision penalty corner conversion by Amit Rohidas in the 24th minute. The third quarter turned out to be India's most challenging phase, as they found themselves on the back foot for the majority of the period, conceding one goal. Their defensive stance allowed Korea to press forward and take shots almost at will, nearly leveling the score.
In the final quarter, India regrouped and shifted to a counter-attacking strategy. Despite some wild shots and physical confrontations within the penalty area, the Indian team maintained their composure, securing a vital final goal.
With this hard-fought victory, India broke an 8-year drought, reaching their first men's hockey final in the Asian Games. In the previous edition of the event, India had secured a third-place finish. This triumphant journey of the Indian men's hockey team has rekindled the nation's hopes for gold and restored their glory on the international stage.
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