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South Korea win Asia Cup

Two minutes away from title, India caved in under pressure and went down 2-3 in extra-time to defending champions South Korea in the final of the Hero Honda fourth women's Asia Cup hockey tournament in Delhi today.

In an edge-of-the-seat thriller, India led 2-1 till the 68th minute before Asian Games champions South Korea won a battle of nerves. They equalised through skipper E.Y. Lee and then in the fourth minute of extra-time got the golden goal. Lee again scored to give her side the title and a berth in the 2002 World Cup.

The winners, who led 1-0 at half-time, in the process also avenged their defeat in the league match where they had lost 2-3.

Eun Jin Kimone and E.Y.Lee (2) were the scorers for Korea, while Suraj Lata Devi and Kamla Dalal scored a goal each for the hosts.

In a fast paced encounter, the Koreans dominated the first half during which India were lucky not to concede more goals. Once again it was goalkeeper Tingonleima who cornered the spotlight with some brilliant saves.

The Koreans were also unlucky to have muffed a stroke in the 49th minute, when Hyun Jung Woo's scoop hit the crossbar.

India began on a very fast pace, forcing their first penalty corner in the second minute but failed to make use of it. But thereafter, the Koreans called the shots. They totally outplayed the Indians, with Seong Eun Kim's runs down from the left flank unsettling the Indian defence time and again.

UNI