Korean drag-flicker Jang Jong Hyun has become the mainstay of the team, especially when it comes to scoring goals. Though he is just 23 years old, Jang is one of the world's best drag-flickers today.

Jang is fast emerging as one of the top goal-scorers in the seventh Asia Cup here. He has already scored seven and promises to score many more.

Though he is a rising star, he hardly cares about statistics and celebration. Asked how many goals he has scored in his career, "I have not kept count," said the flicker, who top-scored with 15 goals in the Doha Asian Games.

Jang has been playing hockey ever since he was nine at his home town near Busan. He took a liking for drag-flicking from a young age and is trying to get better at the art. That would be all the more crucial with the 2008 Beijing Olympics just round the corner.

A stint in the German League also helped Jang -- who speaks no English at all -- hone his skills and get the hang of top-level club competition. "The Europeans are faster, while the Asians depend more on skill," Jang said.

Korean coach Cho Myung Jun said: "He should peak in the next year or two." Peaking next year would be the ideal situation as it will be the time when the Olympics come around.

Cho, however, has set a target for Jang. "He should score 20 goals in the Asia Cup," Cho said. With the way the youngster is going about his business, it would come as a surprise if he does not achieve the assigned target.