India clinch Asia Cup hockey title after dramatic fight back

Chak de India all over again at the Gacchibowli Stadium here on Friday evening as Diwakar Ram scored a ‘golden goal’ to see the hosts retain the junior Asia Cup hockey title, beating South Korea 3-2.After missing two penalty-corners in the scheduled time, which ended in a 2-2 draw, all eyes were on ace drag-flicker Diwakar Ram, when the hosts were awarded a penalty-corner in the fourth minute of extra-time. And the cool as cucumber Diwakar did not lose his focus and shot the ball home in style. Diwakar completed a ‘Perfect 10’ as he has scored two goals each in the five matches he’s played.Nam Hyun Woo scored both the goals for Korea, while S.V. Sunil and Diwakar Ram restored parity for India in the scheduled time. Down two goals to nil at the 59th minute mark, the Indians staged a remarkable comeback with captain Gurbaj Singh setting the tone with an accurate hit inside the circle. Following a goalmouth melee, S.V. Sunil sounded the boards with ease in the 60th minute.

This allowed the Indians to press hard, and in the 63rd minute, ace drag-flicker Diwakar Ram levelled the score with a zooming hit into the right corner of the goal.
Earlier, as expected, the Koreans maintained their rhythm from the word go and didn’t allow the Indians much leeway in the midfield.
Two minutes later, Indian goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh denied Korea’s Bae Jong Suk a chance with a brilliant save.