India gave a fine display of attacking field hockey to retain the Asia Cup with a crushing 7-2 victory over South Korea in an incident-filled final here on Sunday. Prabhjot Singh and Rajpal Singh each struck twice for the defending champions, while Ignace Tirkey, Shivender Singh and S. V. Sunil scored one goal apiece.
Jang Jong Hyun converted a penalty-stroke and Oh Dae Keun scored a field goal for 2006 Doha Asian Games champions South Korea in a match which also saw the players lose their cool.
Trouble started near the South Korean goal immediately after the first session was over, with rival players arguing and pushing each other. India led 3-1 at that stage. Prabhjot was temporarily suspended for injuring South Korean Kim Chul, who was stretchered off the field.
South Korea then protested against an umpiring decision to disallow Hong Sung Kweon's goal in the second half.
Hardly had they settled down when Rajpal made it 4-1 for India with a firm drive from the top of the striking circle, resulting in a walkout by South Korea. The game was held up for nearly five minutes.
"We thought the decision was unfair. Our goal was disallowed and then India quickly scored one. That's way we walked out," said South Korean coach Cho Myung Jun.
"We have been missing a couple of players in each game due to fitness problems since the start of the tournament, but India performed well in the final." The first half was entertaining, with both teams playing attacking hockey. Fortunes fluctuated as three goals came in the opening 13 minutes.
The hosts, who had struggled to down South Korea 3-2 in a league match, took the lead in the fourth minute when Shivender put the rebound in from close range after Prabhjot's shot had hit goalkeeper Ko Dong Sik's pads.
South Korea were quick to retaliate as Hyun made it 1-1 in the ninth minute by converting a penalty-stroke following an obstruction by Indian goalkeeper Baljit Singh. India regained the lead when Sunil smartly deflected in a long-corner hit from Dilip Tirkey, much to the delight of a capacity holiday crowd.
Prabhjot strengthened India's position with a third goal when he connected with a Tushar Khandekar cross from the centre to beat the South Korean goalkeeper, who was out of position.
The second half belonged to India as Rajpal scored twice, followed by Ignace Tirkey and Prabhjot with one apiece. South Korea scored their second goal through Keun in the 68th minute.
"We played a tactical game and according to a plan. We did not allow them to create openings. We were aware they can fight back even after being 5-1 down, but the boys did not relax until the end," said Indian coach Joaquim Carvalho. "South Korea's brief walkout also helped us as it upset their rhythm."
Malaysia beat Japan 5-3 to finish third, their best-ever performance in the tournament.
Three-time champions Pakistan were beaten 3-2 by China to finish sixth, their worst-ever display in this event. De Yunze scored two goals and Hu Liang one for China, while Mohammad Arshad and Rehan Butt scored for Pakistan.
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