Semifinal loss to India sends men's hockey team to bronze medal match

The Korean men’s hockey team’s bid to win their fifth Asian Games gold medal ended with a 5-3 loss to India in the semifinal at the Hangzhou Asian Games on Wednesday.

Men's hockey team beat Oman to keep semifinal dream alive

India displayed a dominant performance at Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium in Hangzhou, China, scoring three consecutive goals to end the first quarter up 3-0.

Korea pulled two goals back in the second quarter, but Rohidas Amit scored a penalty corner to end the quarter at 4-2.

With Jung Man-jae’s goal from a penalty corner in the third quarter, the score became 4-3 and Korea seemed to have a chance of turning things around in the following quarter.

But Abhishek’s goal in the last quarter sealed India’s 5-3 victory, stripping Korea of a chance to win their first Asiad gold medal in the sport since 2006.

The Korean men’s team is still in the tournament, as they will play a bronze medal game on Friday. The loser of the game between China and Japan — due to take place later in the evening as of press time — will face Korea in the bronze medal game.

The Korean women’s team, on the other hand, will play a semifinal game against Japan on Thursday.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]