Kuantan (Malaysia): India are hopeful of producing the magic to surmount the challenge from resurgent South Korea in the semifinals of the fourth Asian Champions Trophy despite ankle injury to ace custodian PR Sreejesh. The other worry for India is deep defender Surender Kumar’s suspension.
Seeking to reclaim the title that they won in the inaugural edition in 2011, fancied India were held to a 1-1 draw by the young South Korean side, which has improved with every outing.
“South Korea is a good side that has improved its quality throughout this tournament,” said Indian coach Roelant Oltmans. “The Korean strength lies in their defence. It will all depend on how we can break past their defence,” said Oltmans, hoping his own defence would overcome the problems confronting the team.
“I think Sreejesh will be able to play. He’s recovering from the ankle injury, but even if he does not play in the semifinals, Akash Chikte is a very good reserve goalkeeper,” the coach said.
Oltmans said India will have to learn to play without Surender in the next two games following his suspension. “In a short period of time that he has been in the national squad, Surender has acquired a certain place,” said the coach. “We’ll have to make some changes, but it will not affect the game-plan.”
India have benefitted from the success of Rupinnder Pal Singh in conversing penalty corners in this tournament, where he is the tournament’s highest scorer with 10 strikes against his name.
Paul Lissek, the German coach of the South Korean side, is all praise for his young team after Thursday’s match, where they gave Malaysia a fright. “We’ve been consistent throughout the tournament, but were unlucky not to have scored more goals,” said Lissek.
“We’re looking forward to taking on India. We played a fine game against them in the league fixture,” Lissek said, asserting that South Korea were capable of winning this tournament.
Hosts Malaysia are looking to repeat their winning show of the tournament’s opening match against defending champions Pakistan. “Tomorrow will be different ball game than the league fixture. This is the business end of the tournament,” said Malaysian coach Steven van Huizen, adding that his team was bracing for the challenge.
Press Trust of India
