With a battling draw against South Korea, India remained on top of Pool 'A' on better goal difference of the women's hockey competition. With this, India has all but sealed their berth in the semifinals.
Korea tested Savita and her team both physically and mentally. Although India enjoyed better ball possession for much of the contest, the opposition probed continuously.
In a match highlighted by intensity, pace and India's penalty corner conversion woes, the Koreans stunned the Indians with a penalty stroke conversion in the 12th minute. Korea were awarded a contentious stroke for a stick block by Udita and striker Hyejin Cho made no mistake in putting it past Savita. The goal shocked the Indians, but they remained unflustered by the early setback.
The Korean defenders kept the Indian strikers in check. Navneet Kaur found the all-important equaliser for India, when she scored off the deflection of Deep Grace Ekka's drag flick in the 44th minute. Much to the Indian camp's relief, Korea's video referral was rejected.
Down to 10 players n the final quarter after Navneet was penalized with a yellow card, they continued to attack and kept the ball in the opposition circle. India will their last league engagement against Hong Kong on Tuesday.
Result: India 1 (Navneet Kaur 44) drew with South Korea 1 (Cho)
