With a superlative performance, India retained the Asia Cup with a thumping 7-2 victory over Korea before a huge gathering here on Sunday. India led 3-1 at half-time.

By S. Thyagarajan

Powered by an early goal by Shivendra, the Indians held the stage throughout to finish the championship with a whopping tally of 57 goals against five, winning seven matches in a row. It was something like a dream come true for the Indians.

Everyone pulled his weight in the outcome but none more than the winger Prabhjot Singh who not only slotted two goals but had a hand in almost every goal.

The Koreans were on a low key throughout, pressed hard by the Indian attack. Whatever effort they put at the rival end was smothered superbly by goal-keeper Baljit Singh.

Earlier, Malaysia earned its first medal in the Asia Cup, a bronze at that, beating Japan five goals to three.

The shock of the day was the defeat of Pakistan against China in the tie for the 5-6 positions. The sixth place for Pakistan is the lowest since the inception of the championship in 1982.

Results Men’s Asia Cup Sunday 9 September 2007:

FINAL:
India – Korea 7-2

Bronze medal match:
Malaysia – Japan 5-3

Classification 5-6:
China –  Pakistan 3-2

Classification 7-8:
Bangladesh – Hong Kong 3-1

Classification 9-10:
Sri Lanka – Singapore 6-0

Final positions: 1.India 2. Korea, 3 Malaysia, 4.Japan, 5 China, 6.Pakistan, 7.Bangladesh, 8.Hong Kong, 9.Sri Lanka, 10.Singapore, 11. Thailand.

Please click here for direct access to the special Men's Asia Cup website.