A resolute India put on a masterful display, defeating Malaysia 4-1 in their second Super 4s game of the men’s Asia Cup hockey competition after falling behind by one goal at Rajgir in Bihar on Thursday.
Shafiq Hassan gave Malaysia the lead in the second minute, but the Indians took a while to get going, before putting up a strong fightback.
Shilanand Lakra (24th), Vivek Sagar Prasad (38th), Manpreet Singh (17th), and Sukhjeet Singh (19th) all scored for India. India’s first Super 4 encounter against Korea ended in a 2-2 draw on Wednesday.
With four points after two games, India has risen to the top of the Super 4 standings. China and Malaysia are in second and third place, respectively, with three points, while Korea, the reigning champions, is in last place with just one point.
India will play China in their final Super 4 match on Saturday after taking a day off on Friday, while Malaysia will play Korea. India only needs to draw with China to guarantee their spot in the final on Sunday.
Due to playmaker Fitri Saari’s indiscipline-related suspension for his on-field altercation with Chinese players in their previous game, Malaysia was shorthanded by two players on Thursday. Against India, Abu Kamal Azrai did not play either. In contrast to the outcome, Malaysia took the lead through Hassan in the second minute, shocking India.
As Hassan ducked past Sanjay and Jugraj Singh to slide in the ball with his reverse stick, the Malaysians caught the Indian defense off guard. In the first quarter, the Indian defense appeared a little unsteady, but they did well to avoid giving up any more goals.
India dominated the opening quarter in terms of ball possession and opportunities, except the early goal. In the first minute of the second quarter, India maintained their offensive play and earned five consecutive penalty corners. Manpreet scored on a rebound after captain Harmanpreet Singh’s flick was stopped by Hafizuddin Othman, giving them the final penalty corner.
The Indians appeared to be buoyed by the equalizer, as they launched a more forceful attack and two minutes later their efforts paid off. Shilanand made a deft pass, and Sukhjeet cleanly pushed home from close range.
The Indians appeared to be a totally different entity, and the lead gave them wings as they launched attack after attack on the citadel in Malaysia. Soon after, Shilanand gave India a 3-1 lead. Dilpreet Singh’s defense-splitting pass was deflected in by Shilanand past the sprinting Malaysian goalie after Hardik Singh initiated the attack.
India led 3-1 at the interval, and it was all either team could muster in the first half. Malaysia got their first penalty corner two minutes into the second half, but India’s goalie, Krishan Bahadur, denied Syed Cholan with an incredible stick save.
When Jugraj’s ballistic flick struck the post in the 38th minute, India was awarded their sixth penalty corner. After Sumit received the ball, he passed it to Manpreet, who then had Vivek put in his pass from the right. India had numerous circle penetrations and created opportunities in the last quarter, but they were unable to turn them into goals.
