Encounter against S. Korea was a quarterfinal for us: Sunil

TIL Desk Sports/ Indian vice-captain SV Sunil said his team treated the Champions Trophy league fixture against South Korea as a knockout quarterfinal and played attacking hockey to live up to the occasion.  “We went all out to win this match and were pleased to have achieved our target,” Sunil said after India prevailed 2-1 over South Korea to keep alive their medal hopes in the tournament.

The victory gave India seven points from four ties, going into the last league match against World champions Australia. “Even if the match-winner came late in the match, our target was to earn the maximum three points and that’s what we got,” said Sunil.  India forced three penalty corners but did not concede any to South Korea. The Koreans depended on quick breakaway moves or long diagonal balls into the circle, one of which got them their only goal.

“We played attacking hockey throughout the match that was a must-win game for us,” said Indian striker Talwinder, who set up the match-winner with a fine pass from the left flank to Nikkin Thimmaiah.  Talwinder claimed the equaliser had not affected the Indian team, which looked to breach the Korean defence throughout the match.  India’s domination did not translate into many goals as they muffed several goal scoring chances, but Sunil said the team had improved with every outing.