Johor Bahru (Malaysia), Nov 5: India suffered a shocking defeat as South Korea rode on captain Yang Ji Hun's superb hat-trick to script a remarkable come-from-behind 6-4 victory in their opening match of the U-21 Sultan of Johor Cup hockey tournament here today.
Down 0-4 at the breather, a valiant South Korea pumped in as many as half a dozen goals in the second half to dash India's hopes at the Taman Daya stadium.
After dominating the opening period, India panicked and frittered away the four goal advantage within 12 minutes in the second half.
For the South Koreans, Yang (39th, 48th, 56th) converted three penalty corners while Yoon Dong Hyeo (41st, 42nd) scored two field goals with Hwang Taei (59th) completing the scoreline with another set piece.
Mylaram Sampath Kumar opening the scoring for India as early as in the fourth minute, converting his team's first penalty corner.
Malak Singh (16th, 29th) two field goals tripled the scoreline and then Talwinder Singh (31st) made it 4-0 for the Indians just four minutes from the breather. India will face fromidable Australia in their next round robin league match tomorrow, while South Korea will take on Pakistan.
Contrary to the result, it was all India in the first half as they scored goals at regular intervals. India earned its first penalty corner in the fourth minute from which Bangalore lad Sampath Kumar scored with a powerful dragflick that beat Korean goalie Jung sung Min all ends up.
