~ The Reigning Champions register their fourth consecutive win to remain on top of Pool A at the 18th Asian Games Jakarta & Palembang 2018 ~ 

~ Rupinder Pal Singh (1'), Chinglensana Singh Kangujam (5'), LalitUpadhyay (16'), Manpreet Singh (49'), Akashdeep Singh (56') score in India's win; Young Defender Varun Kumar completes 50 International Caps for India ~ 

Jakarta (Indonesia), 26 August 2018:  Reigning Champions Indian Men’s Hockey Team continued their stunning performance at the 18th Asian Games Jakarta & Palembang as they notched up a 5-3 victory against a tough Republic Of Korea team in their fourth Pool A match here on Sunday. This was table topper India's fourth successive victory in Pool A after winning 17-0 against Indonesia, 26-0 against Hong-Kong China and 8-0 win against Japan in their first three matches respectively. 

It was drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh (1'), Chinglensana Singh Kangujam (5'), LalitUpadhyay (16'), Manpreet Singh (49') and Akashdeep Singh (56') who contributed to India's scoreline. For South Korea, Skipper Manjae Jung (33', 35') and Jhongyun Jang (60') scored. 

The winning team's first goal came from a penalty stroke scored by Rupinder Pal Singh. It was a goal bound ball stooped by body of the last Republic Of Korean defender that resulted in South Korea conceding the penalty stroke. The team further won two PCs in the final minute of the first quarter. While Rupinder's first flick had to be taken again as it was blocked by the first rusher, his second attempt was well-saved by the Republic Of Korea goalkeeper. However, only minutes earlier, Rupinder set-up India's second goal superbly converted by Vice Captain Chinglensana Singh Kangujam. It was a brilliant showcase of one-touch hockey where Rupinder's long-pass from the centre of the midfield found an impressive deflection off Chinglensana's stick. 

India continued to play with superb speed, with impressive counter attacks that put the  Republic Of Koreadefence on immense pressure. India's third goal came in the 16th Minute through a smart scoop pass from Simranjeet Singh that was well controlled by LalitUpadhyay who had positioned well to take a successful deflection that landed the ball over the  Republic Of Korea goalkeeper into the net. 

Republic Of Korea however made brave attempts to overcome the initial setback as they created chances to score. In the 24th minute,  Republic Of Korea won two back-to-back PCs but couldn't make much of the opportunity as India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and first rusher Manpreet Singh's efforts respectively ensured India kept a clean sheet.

In the following minute, Amit Rohidas helped win India's fourth PC of the match but could not convert.  Republic Of Korea immediately launched a quick-fire counter attack, where in just three touches,  Republic Of Korea landed in their striking circle. But the shot taken was way off the mark. 

 Republic Of Korea made a strong start to the third quarter when a long-pass into the circle trying to fetch a perfect deflection unfortunately hit the cross-bar. But a smart referral saw  Republic Of Korea win a PC. Sreejesh's block in an attempt to clear the ball was deemed dangerous as it hit the  Republic Of Korea striker in the circle. This time South Korea used a smart variation which was successfully converted by the team's skipper Manjae Jung.

 Republic Of Korea tricked India's defence to score yet another goal through Manjae that narrowed the team's lead to 2-3. India missed some potential chances to score in the following minutes as forwards Akashdeep Singh and SV Sunil narrowly missed scoring goals in two separate attempts.

The final quarter was tense as  Republic Of Korea defence upped their ante while India pushed for goals. Manpreet Singh struck India's fourth goal setup by a good interception by Akashdeep. Manpreet was excellent in receiving the ball from Akashdeep and made a quick dribble into the striking circle and took a powerful back-hand shot to beat  Republic Of Korea goalkeeper that helped take India's lead to 4-2. 

A clever pass by Mandeep Singh to Akashdeep saw him convert yet another splendid back-hand shot taking India's score to a comfortable 5-2. 

Meanwhile, India won a PC with a little over four minutes left for the final hooter. A good flick by Rupinder was pushed away by the  Republic Of Korea goalkeeper denying India's fifth attempt at PC. A defensive error saw India concede a PC in the last minute of the match.  Republic Of Korea retook the PC after the ball struck the foot of India's first rusher. They were awarded yet another PC after it again struck the foot of defender Amit Rohidas. This time Jhongyun Jang was successful in beating Sreejesh to fetch third goal for  Republic Of Korea. 

On 28 August 2018, the Indian Men’s Hockey Team will take on Sri Lanka at 14.30 hours in their last Pool A match.