China, the defending champion, and South Korea will contest for the women’s hockey gold medal on Wednesday after prevailing over Japan (1-0) and India (3-1) respectively here on Monday.
Downpour throughout the day impacted the quality of the competition at this crucial stage of the event.
It was not easy for the Koreans as the Indians put up a lot of resistance, though the frontline asserted itself only late in the final quarter.
Stunned by the early goal by Darae Kim, the Indians managed not only to hit back through a lovely goal by Namita Toppo, but also kept the Koreans on a leash. The defenders, led by Toppo, who made a goalline save in the second quarter, smothered the pressure.
The Koreans enjoyed the advantage of four penalty corners in this quarter but found the rivals tough to crack. Only nearing half-time did the Koreans succeed in increasing the margin through a deflection by Han Hyelyoung off a penalty corner. Goalkeeper Savita made a few good saves. Early in the game there was a semblance of Indian attack taking control thanks to a few quick runs down by Rani and Lilima Minz.
Late in the third quarter, an incisive long pass by Cheon caught the defenders off-guard, and Park Mihyun, threatening to score any time, completed the move with a neat push.
In the other match, the Chinese were more efficient though Japan shared the exchanges evenly until the second half. It took a spectacular penalty corner shot by Wang Mengyu, less than three minutes before the hooter, to seal it in China’s favour.
The results:
Men: 9-10: Singapore 5 (Noor Shah, Muhammad Johan, Muhammad Nabri, Latif Marcian, Zulkepli Nur Ashriq) bt Sri Lanka 3 (Nawan Anju Kalahe 2, Sundarwan Sudusingha).
Women: (7-8): Thailand 5 (Sukumpithak 3, Sirikwan Wongkeuw, Sulocha Loskakul) bt Hong Kong 0. Semifinals: China 1 (Wang Mengyu) bt Japan 0; South Korea 3 (Darae Kim, Han Hyelyoung, Park Mihyun) bt India 1 (Namita Toppo).
Tuesday’s matches: (Men): (7-8:): Bangladesh vs Oman (10.30 a.m.); Semifinals: South Korea vs India (1 p.m.); Pakistan vs Malaysia (3.30 p.m.).
