The Indian hockey team are known to increase the pulse rates of its supporters, particularly in big matches. And Wednesday’s semi-final against Korea at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park was no different. What was expected to be a regulation victory for the World No. 3 Indian team against a Korean side that are not even among the top 10 of the world (No. 12), turned out to be a hour-long roller-coaster of a ride.

India began brilliantly with two goals inside the first 11 minutes—Hardik Singh (5th minute) and Mandeep Singh (11th min) finishing things off respectively after a strong build up by Harmanpreet Singh and Co. In the 15th minute, Lalit Upadhyay tapped in to give India a massive three-goal lead. This cushion however, proved to be an uncomfortable one, and the Indians sat uneasy thereafter.