Indian women's hockey team edges Korea 3-2 in see-saw Asian Champions Trophy thriller

The Indian women's hockey team edged Korea 3-2 in its second game of the Women's Asian Champions Trophy on Tuesday (November 12).

Assisted in no small measure by an off-color Korean outfit who conceded possession repeatedly in the opening half, Sangita Kumar and Deepika found the back of the net even as the Indians missed a few sitters.

A resurgent Korean side nullified India's two-goal lead in the third quarter thanks to a penalty corner followed by a penalty stroke. Deepika scored the winner for India off a penalty stroke in the final quarter.

Sangita Kumari continued from where she left off in the game against Malaysia, scoring India's opening goal with a stunning reverse from close range in the third minute. The Koreans did go upstairs asking for a back-stick, but there was not enough evidence to overturn the goal.

Preeti Dubey outdid the Korean defense with a sizzling solo run but failed to finish off a promising move immediately after as the Indians continued to wreak havoc in the attacking circle.

Sloppy defending from the Koreans allowed Beauty Dungdung to sprint her way into the Korean circle. The Jharkhand girl angled one in for Deepika who made no mistake in the 20th minute.

A brilliant dribbling run from Deepika set up Sangita Kumari whose diving effort missed the goalline by inches in the 24th minute before the Indians came close to scoring yet again.

Seona Kim attempted to inspire her side with a powerful move immediately after half-time but her probing cross across the face of the Indian goal failed to find the stick of a Korean striker.

A rejuvenated Korean side earned a penalty corner in the 34th minute. Lalremsiami was sent off for rushing out too quickly, leaving the Indians with a player less in PC defense.

Savita Punia dived to stop the initial drag-flick but Lee Yuri reduced the margin with an opportunistic tap-in.

The Koreans earned a penalty stroke in the 38th minute following a rash tackle in the circle, with Cheon Eunbi managing to beat Savita Punia, enabling her side to draw level at 2-2.

A yellow card picked up by Sharmila Devi in the 43rd minute did little to help India's cause but Sangita came close to scoring a couple of times in a frantic final quarter of their Asian Champions Trophy game.

Deepika scored off a penalty stroke for India in the 57th minute to ensure the Indians came away winners in their second Asian Champions Trophy match.

China head points table, Thailand give Japan a scare in Asian Champions Trophy

China have 6 points from 2 games and a goal difference of +20 - Source: Hockey India

The Thai girls very nearly pulled off a huge upset win before conceding a late goal to hold two-time Asian Champions Trophy winners Japan to a 1-1 draw.

Meanwhile, the Chinese women brushed aside a period of initial resistance from Malaysia to come away with a 5-0 win. As a result, China lead the points table with six points and a whopping goal difference of +20 after two matches.

India are second in the Asian Champions Trophy points table with six points from as many games and a goal difference of +5. Harendra Singh's team will face Thailand in their next game on November 14.