India vs South Korea LIVE: IND (3-0) KOR, Harmanpreet puts India in command

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Asian Champions Trophy, where defending champions India take on South Korea.

Korea showed more intent in that quarter and managed to test Krishan Pathak with a couple of efforts. India, meanwhile, appeared to ease off the intensity after building a healthy lead. That is unlikely to sit too well with Craig Fulton. Nevertheless, the hosts head into the break firmly in control at 3-0 and remain on course to wrap up the league stage with a flawless 15 points from five matches.

27' A PC for India and Jugraj's shot is well saved by the goalkeeper. Harmanpreet gets the ball back and sends a pass into the D and it is nudged home by Vishnukant. But there was a doubt of a back stick and the replays show it was the case.

NO goal for now. India continue on pushing.

23' After a bit of a lull period, India seems to have found their groove again with a high press and some good passing. Sanjay's high press works and the ball goes to Arjun Lallage and his shot is just wide.

20' One of the best points for India this tournament has been the way how defend well in PCs. Twice, the Indian rushers made stops to prevent Korea from pulling one back. The final attempt was well-wide and India preserve their 3-goal lead.

17' India are off to a fast start here and Shilanand almost made it 4-0. India keep winning the ball high up on the field and Shilanand uses incredible stick work to make it into the Korean D. There was some one-touch stuff with Angad inside, but Kim runs in to ensure Shilanand's angle was a tight one.

That is ridiculous power. Outstanding stuff from Harmanpreet, as he smashes it low and into the corner. No chance for Kim Jaehyon in the Korean goal.

With that the first quarter is done and it has been a dominant performance from India. Can they add more to the scoreline?

India get two PCs in a row and the first attempt from Harmanpreet is stopped by the rusher. The second one wasn't trapped well and India recycled the ball well back to harman. The Indian captain tried to get a deflection from Dilpreet and it was saved.

The ball fell kindly to Vishnukant, who produced a wonderful pass to Jugraj and he made it 2-0. Korea need a strong performance in the second half to make a comeback.

8' Dilpreet produces a sensational strike to put India ahead as the Jalandhar crowd erupts in joy. A beautiful cross field ball to Jarmanpreet on the right creates chaos in the Korean D. The Indian defender is able to find the pass and it falls to Dilpreet and his reverse shot gives Kim no chance to save it.

A video referral by the umpire was taken, but ultimately it was decided in India's favour.

3' Sukhjeet is making it a habit of using that reverse hit to perfection. He gets the ball inside the D and stings the hand of Kim here with a fine shot. India are pushing for that early goal to settle the nerves here.

The match is underway here and India will be kicking us off, going from right to left. Usually they do that in the second half. An early press is evident but Korea are holding themselves well here.

So for the final match in Jalandhar, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann is in the stadium and is taking a quick lap around the stadium as the teams are proceeding with the toss. korea win the toss here.

India are assured of finishing at the top of the league standings, regardless of the result against Korea.

With a goal difference of +21, Harmanpreet Singh's side are comfortably ahead of Malaysia.

Even a defeat would leave both teams tied on 12 points, but India's superior goal difference will ensure they finish first.

India will face Korea in the semifinals, while Malaysia take on Japan in the other last-four clash.

Bangladesh take on China in the 5th-6th place classification match.

After playing the last two games in whites, India are back in saffron. India will not be bothered by the colour of the kits, they would want to get the win and finish the league stage on a high.

So it looks like Abhishek has been rested for this dead rubber game. He twisted his ankle last game. Otherwise India remain strong with Mandeep, Sukhjeet and Arjun Lalage expected to lead the line.

India's only loss to Korea in normal time came all the way back in 2013 during the Asia Cup final. Since then, Korea's only other win against India has come in during the Sultan Azlan Shah cup final in 2019, when they won in a shootout.

There have been seven draws between both sides in 25 matches, with India winning a total of 15 games. The last time both teams faced off against each other, it was at the Asian Games when India trounced Korea 8-2.

The big question on the day will be to see if India will look to rotate the side heavily for the match against Korea. India suffered a blow in the game against Malaysia when Abhishek twisted his ankle and couldn't play a part in the rest of the game.

He could be rested as a precaution, allowing others to come in. Suraj Karkera has started the first quarter in most of the games and Fulton maybe tempted to see if Pathak can come in.

With the focus now turning to Mohali, India will be wary of avoiding any injuries or niggles ahead of the semis.

So it is time to say goodbye to Jalandhar as India take on Korea in their final league game at the Surjit Hockey stadium. The mecca of hockey in India has been a sensational host for everyone with the fans showing their love for their hometown heroes.

India come into the contest after their 4-2 win over Malaysia in the last game that more or less sealed their status as the table toppers of the league stage. Heading into the semis, India will be looking to iron out the minor issues they have faced in the tournament. The second quarter has seen a dip in their energy levels. That will be something Craig Fulton will definitely demand a change.

Secondly, India will need to use their secondary dragflickers more with Jugraj Singh and Amandeep Lakra not taking a lot of chances as compared to Harmanpreet Singh.

Korea will be looking to spoil the mood of the fans inside the Surjit Hockey stadium with a fine performance. They started the tournament with two losses but have come back strongly.