India, Korea looking to settle scores

Defending champions India will look to maintain their winning run in the men's hockey competition at the 14th Asian Games when they take on a strong South Korea in their concluding league match on Friday.

Though the Group A match has lost some of its importance as both teams have already assured themselves of semi-final berths, it will decide who avoids meeting Pakistan, currently leading Group B, in the semis.

The winner of the match will meet the second-placed team in Group B, which, in all probability, will be Malaysia.

If the match ends in a draw, Korea will top Group A on better goal difference, leaving India and Pakistan to fight it out for a place in the final.

India will be more keen to avoid locking horns with Pakistan, who beat them for the bronze medal in the recent Champions Trophy in Cologne. But for that they will have to counter the challenge of the hosts, keen to avenge their loss at the hands of India in the final of the Bangkok Asian Games in 1998.

South Korean coach Jeon Jae-hong minced no words while saying: "We are looking to settle scores at the earliest opportunity.

"It's the gold medal that we are chasing, but first getting even with India will be a good idea," he said.

With India also wanting to avenge their 2-4 loss to Korea in Champions Trophy, the match could provide a few sparks.

India will probably be without Prabhjot Singh, who may have to sit out because of an injury he suffered in the match against Hong Kong. The doctors have ruled out anything serious but the team management is likley to preserve him for the semi-final match.

Though India won their second match against Japan 3-0, Prabhjot's absence definitely affected the rhythm of the team. Daljit Singh, who replaced him, managed to score a goal but his performance was inconsistent.

Saying he has a different plan for the Koreans tomorrow, India coach Rajinder Singh expressed satisfaction with the way his wards performed in the two matches they played in the Asian Games tournament.

"I think I can say I am satisfied with the team's performance thus far. They have fought well and have got the goals," he said, adding "the defence too had worked well in the previous two matches".

Rajinder admitted South Korea are a "good and strong" team and the match would be close. "They had beaten us 2-4 in Cologne recently. My team clicked well against Japan yesterday despite close marking. The players are in shape and should perform well tomorrow," he said.

Korea coach Jae-hong said though his side is confident of winning they would not take India lightly as "India is a strong team with lots of youngsters".

"We will be playing positive hockey and my boys have the responsibility to prove themselves before the home crowd," he added.

Recent statistics show India have a better record against the Koreans, having won twice -- in four-nation tournaments, and lost once -- in the Champions Trophy, while drawing in Amstelveen.