India eye WC berth with win against Korea in Asia Cup semis

Bangkok: With a place in next year`s World Cup up for grabs, Indian eves will settle for nothing less than a victory when they take on South Korea in the first semifinal of the seventh women`s Asia Cup hockey in Bangkok on Friday.

A win on Friday will ensure India a direct entry in the women`s hockey World Cup to be held at Rosario, Argentina in August-September next year. The game against Korea also provides India the opportunity to avenge its 2-5 semifinal loss at the hands of same opponents in the previous edition of the tournament in Hong Kong. To help India`s cause the present Korean team is younger and inexperienced, with as many as 10 members of the side have either been dropped or retired since last Asia Cup. However inspite of all these, the task won`t be a cakewalk for the Indians as like India, Korea is also undefeated in the event so far and would be eager to revive its dwindling fortunes -- its` lowest ever world ranking at 10. Bureau Report