Play of the Day: Song Seung true

Jaideep Singh in Sydney

The 'Play of the Day' during the two showpiece semi-finals on Thursday was undoubtedly Song Seung-Tae's classic conversion of a set-piece deviation that clinched South Korea a place in the final of Olympic Games men's field hockey competition, at the expense of three-time gold medallists Pakistan.

In terms of settling the argument about Asia's top-ranked team and on the Olympic Games competition, Song's goal was the ultimate coup de grace. It fetched Korea the biggest moment in their hockey history and wrote a new chapter for Asian hockey -- this being the first time an Asian team other than subcontinental hockey powers India and Pakistan had advanced thus far.

Song's deft execution of the set-piece variation left Pakistan captain and goalkeeper Ahmed Alam with no chance, as he glided the ball into the cage after the goal was set up by Korean skipper Kang Keon-Wook midway in the second half of the match.

Kang tapped the ball for Song to apply the finishing touches, after Yeo Woon-Kon had squared it towards his captain to beat the onrushing Pakistan defenders.

The whole sequence had a genteel touch to it which isn't otherwise reflected these days in penalty-corner executions.

With no goals coming in open play during the second semifinal between reigning champions Holland and Australia, Song's cherished moment had no competition for the 'Play of the Day'. The celebrations that came after the goal -- leave alone after wining the semifinal -- will remain embedded in the memory of all Korean fans present at the venue.

Song tossed his stick triumphantly, then did a victory jig before being submerged between his celebrating teammates.

South Korea were on its way to a memorable win, which can only be matched by winning the title encounter against Olympic and World Cup holders Holland.

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