India ready for Korea challenge

New Delhi: India’s women take on hosts Korea in their last round-robin match at the 5th Women’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Donghae City on Saturday.

India are unbeaten in the tournament, having beaten Japan (4-1), China (3-1) and Malaysia (3-2) to reach the final. Korea have so far won two matches, (3-1 against Malaysia and China) and drawn one (1-1 vs Japan) in the group stage.

Saturday’s match will serve as preparation for the final.

“Korea are a good team, but our girls have played with a lot of confidence. We are not bothered about this being their home ground but want to just focus on ourselves and carry forward the good momentum,” India’s chief coach Sjoerd Marijne said on Friday.

India have played with aggression in the tournament but facing a defensive team like Korea will be a different proposition.

“It will be important for us to not let that pressure affect our game and we need to ensure we don’t make mistakes in our own half. Besides this, we will need to move the ball fast to create space,” added Marijne.

India were lethal against Japan and China but dropped their intensity against Malaysia.