Incheon, Sep 29 (IANS): Two-time gold medallists India will bank on confidence acquired from winning three of their four opening round matches when they take on hosts South Korea in the semi-finals of the Asian Games men's hockey competition at the Soenhak Hockey Stadium here Tuesday.
A win will not only give India, who won the bronze in 2010, a chance to end their 16-year wait for the gold medal but also could give them a shot at 2012 Rio Games berth since the champion team gets a direct qualification for the Olympics.
India brushed aside Sri Lanka 8-0, Oman 7-0, went down fighting against Pakistan 1-2 but bounced back to beat China 2-0 in their preliminary round pool B matches.
“We have achieved our first target for the competition and are now entering the crossover matches of the tournament. Playing South Korea at their home is a serious challenge for us," Terry Walsh, chief coach, said.
"We will need high-quality ball handling and decision making in the game. We must match their urgency and physical strength. Our team has every capacity to be very effective in this match and I am confident that with endeavour and persistence we will do well,” the Australian said.
The two teams go into the match with a history of evenly-fought contests with India enjoying a slender advantage, having won 2-1 in the 3rd/4th match to win bronze at the 2010 Guangzhou Games and drawing 1-1 at 2006 Games. They have also faced off in the final twice, 1998 and 2002, with both the teams emerging champions once each.
Indian captain Sardar Singh too stressed on achieving their primary objective of reaching the last four but said the focus now shifts on entering the final.
“The target now is to outperform the hosts. The team is fully prepared and we are looking forward at performing our best and generate favourable opportunities and results,” Sardar said.
India were champions in 1966 and 1998 and finished runners-up on nine occasions. They have also won two bronze medals -- the last coming in the 2010 edition. South Korea have won four gold medals, 1986, 1994, 2002 and 2006, in addition to a silver (1998) and bronze (1958).