BHUBANESWAR: Despite the home team being eliminated, fans turned out in huge numbers to support the only Asian team left in the World Cup South Korea. With the roughly 12,000 supporting every forward push the Koreans were making, the world No 9 team fought back from 3-5 down to not just level the scores at 5-5 but eventually oust 2016 Rio Olympic champions Argentina on Sunday by a 3-2 margin in the shootout-arguably the biggest upset of the tournament.
The shootout was nothing short of dramatic. Every Korean goal was cheered and every save by Kim Jaehyeon was celebrated in the stands. After Kim saved the final attempt by Martin Ferreiro, the Korean goalkeeper rushed towards the stands to acknowledge the support with his team engulfing him for crazy celebrations with water replacing the champagne.
"India being Olympic bronze medallists, Asia's leader, a high- ranking team, it was very sad to see them going out in the crossovers by losing the shootout. Then Malaysia and Japan also did not make the quarter-finals. So, there was pressure on Korea as the only Asian team left," said South Korean coach Shin Seok Kyo, who won two Asian Games gold medals in 1994 and 2002 apart from the 2000 silver at the Olympics.
Korea's hockey journey began in the mid-1980s. To prepare for their first-ever Olympics in 1988 Seoul, they put together a team for the 1986 Asian Games, also held in South Korea's Seongnam. After testing players through various athletic disciplines, South Korea created history by winning gold in 1986. In the next 10 years, a country with no hockey history became the undisputed kings of Asia with skillful players using unique tricks, balls-unfamiliar lobs and aerial to the game back then.
This story is from the January 25, 2023 edition of Hindustan Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 25, 2023 edition of Hindustan Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Palestinian PM Resigns Citing 'New Reality' Of War In Gaza
The United States and other powers have called for a reformed Palestinian Authority to take charge of all Palestinian territories after the end of war
Future Perfect: The Kids Are All Right
Gill and Jurel hold out promise by simplifying a challenging chase to help India seal series
Akshay feels 'blessed' to have worked with OG Ramayan cast
Director Akshay K Agarwal shot a music video, Humare Ram Aaye Hai, with the cast of the 1987 TV show, Ramayanactors Arun Govil, Dipika Chikhlia and Sunil Lahri - in Ayodhya recently.
Musk's firm gets nod for Sat Net; joins Jio, Bharti
Starlink, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has been allowed to offer satellite broadband services in India, two officials aware of the development said.
A temple, 169 years in the making
Through decades of design and reworks, hurdles in engineering and construction, HT pieces together how the grandeur of the Ram Temple was reclaimed
'Political interference' forces Vihari to quit Andhra cricket
After Andhra bowed out of the Ranji Trophy at the quarter-final stage with a four-run defeat to Madhya Pradesh in Indore on Monday, senior batter Hanuma Vihari launched a scathing attack on the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA), saying he will never turn up for the state again.
Shafali, Kapp lead Capitals to a 9-wicket win over Warriorz
A blazing fifty by Shafali Verma (64₹, 43 balls) helped Delhi Capitals make a mockery of a target of 120 and open their account in the second edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL).
Making 'unbelievable things believable', the Ayhika way
The India No. 7 was an inspired pick for the world team event and she repaid the faith, beating the Chinese world No.1
'Connected TVs to reach 45 mn by 2024-end in India'
With improvement in broadband penetration, Indian households are increasingly opting for connected or addressable TVs.
India chip strategy makes progress as $21 billion in proposals received
The Indian government, after years of watching from the sidelines of the chips race, now has to evaluate $21 billion of semiconductor proposals and divvy up taxpayer support between foreign chipmakers, local champions or some combination of the two.
