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Xtra Time Web Desk: India is playing like true defending champions. They have reached the final of the Asian Champions Trophy in hockey, winning all their matches. In the semifinals, Harmanpreet Singh's team defeated South Korea 4-1. In Tuesday's final, India will face the host nation, China. On Monday, China defeated Pakistan in a tiebreaker in the other semifinal.

India entered the match against South Korea with confidence, and it was evident right from the start. They launched multiple attacks, putting pressure on South Korea's defense. India got a goal-scoring opportunity late in the first half. In the 13th minute, Arijit Singh entered the circle and passed to Uttam Singh, who was positioned in front of the goal. Uttam didn’t miss the chance and India took the lead. In the final minute of the first half, Korea earned a penalty corner, but they couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity.

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India continued to dominate in the second half, frequently penetrating South Korea’s circle through open play, led by players like Abhishek and Sukhjeet Singh. In the 19th minute, India earned a penalty corner, and captain Harmanpreet Singh made no mistake. His shot was unstoppable for the South Korean goalkeeper. No further goals were scored in the remainder of the second quarter, and the teams went into halftime with India leading 2-0.

Full Time:

We are into the finals.
Another smashing win at the Men's Asian Champions Trophy, 2024 for Team India.

Goals from Harmanpreet, Jarmanpreet and Uttam Singh give India the win.

India ???????? 4 - 1 ???????? Korea

Uttam Singh 13'
Harmanpreet Singh 19' (PC)
Jarmanpreet Singh…

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) September 16, 2024

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To make a comeback, South Korea needed to score early in the third quarter, but the opposite happened. In the 32nd minute, Jarmanpreet Singh received a long pass from Sumit and, after entering the circle, scored with a powerful shot. India went up 3-0. However, South Korea quickly responded, scoring in the 33rd minute from a penalty corner through Yang Ji-Hun. Even though India's goalkeeper Krishan Pathak got a touch with his pads, he couldn’t clear the ball.

In the final minute of the third quarter, India earned another penalty corner, and once again, Harmanpreet scored. The Indian captain has now scored seven goals in the tournament, all from penalty corners. India took a 4-1 lead. Despite their efforts in the fourth quarter, South Korea couldn’t score again, and India secured a 4-1 victory to reach the final.