London Olympics hockey: India crushed 1-4 by South Korea

London: The Indian hockey team`s poor performance in the London Olympics continued as they suffered their fourth consecutive loss, going down 1-4 to South Korea in their penultimate group B match at the Riverbank Arena here Sunday.

Right-time Olympic champions, India returned to the Games after missing out on Beijing in 2008, were outpaced by the South Koreans. The South Koreans, who had suffered a 1-2 loss to lowly-ranked Belgium in their last match, played with vengeance. They were impeccable from their penalty corners, converting three of the five chances that came their way. Hyun Woo Nam (60th, 70th) struck twice while Jong Hyun Jang (6th) and Lee Seung (68th) got goals apiece. India were pathetic with their penalty corner conversions, misfiring all the four chances they got. Gurwinder Singh Chandi (10th) scored the only goal for India. It was an utter dismal performance by Indian on an occasion when they had only pride to play for. The Indian defence again caved in under relentless attack by the South Korean, who took an early lead in the sixth minute after Jang converted the penalty corner for his 103rd international goal. Stung by an early goal, the Indians stepped up the accelerator and found the equaliser four minutes later after an unmarked Chandi slotted in a precise pass from Dharamvir Singh. Barring the only goal, the Indians were uninspring as the forwards failed to connect with the centre-half. Dharamvir had his shot saved by the South Korean goalkeeper in the 14th minute while on another occasion forward Shivendra Singh failed to connect a great pass from S.V.Sunil when he had just the goalkeeper to beat. The midfielders created many chances from the counter-attacks but the forwards were never in sync with them. South Korea struck thrice in the last 10th minute to pile the misery on the Indians, who paid the price of missed chances. Indians are still languishing at the bottom of the group with no points from four matches. The South Koreans are third behind the Netherlands and Germany, who are on course to the semi-finals. India in their last group encounter face Belgium here Tuesday. IANS