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India in jr. men's Asia Cup hockey final

India's Deepak Thakur and Arjun Hallapa celebrates their first goal [Photo by Sportalasia]

India reached their third Junior Asia Cup final when they defeated host Malaysia 2-1 at the Bukit Jalil Hockey Stadium today.

India, still seeking their first title in this tournament, will now play South Korea in Sunday's final. Korea had earlier defeated Japan 4-1.

India's speedy forwards, who possessed dazzling ball skills, had the Malaysian defence in sixes and sevens every time they ran at them.

The Malaysians also looked nervous as they kept giving the ball away. India had several opportunities to deliver the first blow but had to wait until the 16th minute to take the lead.

Several quick one-twos saw the ball reach Deepak Thakur. His ferocious shot beat S. Kumar in the Malaysian goal but not the left post.

Luckily for India, a lurking Arjun Halappa had the simple task of scoring from close range. India went into overdrive after this and they had the Malaysians back-paddling.

Malaysia were limited to sporadic attacks and even when they broke through, the forwards seemed bereft of ideas.

India doubled their lead seven minutes from the break when Arjun easily converted a 'stroke'.

Malaysia forced four penalty-corners to India's six but none found the mark.

Malaysia finally woke up in the second half but their finishing left much to be desired. They played too low and when a break presented itself, the Malaysian forwards were always outnumbered.

Still, they managed to keep India pinned back for long periods. This was just what India wanted as they knew their forwards could break with pace.

Malaysia forced Chua Boon Huat up field with 18 minutes left and this added more bite in their attack.

He however could not add to his nine goals as Malaysia's defeat left the 10,000-odd crowd disappointed.

Malaysia earned a last minute penalty-corner which Keevan Raj converted, but it was too little too late.

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Korea enters their first ever final

South Korea qualified for their first ever Junior Asia Cup final when they survived a scare from Japan to prevail 4-1 at the Bukit Jalil Hockey Stadium today.

The Japanese, who went into the match as the underdogs, shocked the Koreans when they took the lead after just 40 seconds.

Yusuke Watanabe opened the scoring when he collected a through ball from the right, beat a defender before shooting past Lee Myung-ho in the Korean goal.

The goal shocked the supremely confident Koreans who had predicted 4-1 victory before the match. The extra effort they have been putting into penalty corner set pieces paid full dividends as two goals in as many minutes put them ahead.

Lee Jung-seon put the Koreans on level terms in the 9th minute when his low flick evaded the outstretched hands of the Japanese keeper to sound the board.

Two minutes later, off their third corner of the match, Kim Joung-goo finished off a nice set piece to knock the ball home from close range.

The Koreans were dominant from then on and it was only a matter of time before the third was scored. Inevitably, the third also arrived via a penalty corner with Jung-seon's low flick sounding the board.

The Japanese had two chances to pull a goal back just before the break but their forwards were too slow to get to the final ball in front of goal.

Japan were a shade better in the second half as the Koreans sat back to defend their lead but they stil added a fourth through Yoon Sung-hoon in the dying seconds.

Still it was enough for them to claim victory and a place in the final.

Courtsey: www.hockeyasia.com