Indian eves defeat South Korea 3-2 in second match of Korea tour

Indian women's hockey team registered their second consecutive victory over South Korea as they defeated the hosts 3-2 in the second match of their five-match series here at the Jinchun National Athletic Centre on Tuesday.

Goals for India were scored by Poonam Rani (6'), skipper Rani (27') and Gurjit Kaur (32') while Yurim Lee (10') and Jungeun Seo (31') scored for the hosts.

With the confidence levels high after their victory in the first match yesterday, India started the first quarter aggressively by making attacking forays inside the opposition's half.

Poonam Rani scored for the visitors in the 6th minute to give her side the lead.

South Korea also had chances in the first quarter as they were awarded two penalty corners, and made a comeback into the match by converting the first one through Yurim Lee in the 10th minute to equal the score to 1-1.

The second quarter saw South Korea earned back-to-back penalty corners to put India under pressure. However, the visitors stuck to their task as they defended with their young goalkeeper Swati making crucial saves.

Captain Rani then gave her team an important 2-1 lead in the 27th minute.

The teams went into half-time with India leading by a single goal.

India did not start the third quarter well as they conceded an early goal in the 31st minute when South Korea's Jungeun Seo scored a field goal to equalise for the second time in the match.

However, India's forwards produced some precise passing and purpose to win a penalty corner in the 32nd minute which was well-converted by Gurjit Kaur to give the visitors the lead for the third time in the match.

India will play their third match of the five match series against South Korea on March 8.