Korea defeat Pakistan in semi-final of Hockey Asia Cup 2013

South Korea defeated Pakistan 2-1 in the semi-final of the Asia Cup being played in the Malaysian city of Ipoh.

With the defeat, Pakistan has been disqualified from taking part in the World Cup. Pakistan needed to win the Asia Cup to qualify for the World Cup.

It will be the first time in 42 years that the former four-time world champions will not feature in the mega event since 1971.

The loss means India have virtually qualified for the 2014 World Cup and Malaysia have confirmed their ticket to The Hauge, Holland, where the tournament will be played.

The Greenshirts, who had run over Japan, hosts Malaysia and Chinese Taipei in the run up to the semi-final, had only themselves to blame for their loss after squandering several opportunities in front of goal.

The first came as early as the third minute when they earned a penalty corner. Captain Muhammad Imran, however, could not make it count. It set both players in motion, though, and the Koreans were the first to strike in the 31st minute through Jong Hyun’s penalty corner.

Another missed penalty corner by Pakistan meant that Korea went into half-time 1-0 up and with a lot of confidence.

They started in the same vein in the second half and doubled their lead in the 40th minute when Lee Nam Yong tapped home a saved penalty corner.

Pakistan pulled a goal back six minutes later from their third penalty corner of the game, Imran finally coming good with his effort.