Following an average performance against South Korea where they drew 1-1, India came out with all guns blazing to hammer Malaysia 6-2 in Asia Cup hockey in Dhaka on Thursday. (HIGHLIGHTS)
Six Indians scored a goal each to better their chances of qualifying for yet another final of the Asia Cup.
India maintained most of the possession in the first quarter but despite creating chances, they failed to capitalise. The Malaysian defence stood strong and denied the Indian forwards from taking the lead in the match.
And yet it was the two-time champions who managed to take the lead in the final minute of the first quarter when Akashdeep Singh sneaked one in.
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The Manpreet Singh-led side put two more into the Malaysian goal during the second quarter. First, Harmanpreet Singh scored a brilliant goal from a penalty corner in the 19th minute as he put the ball into the top left of the net, beyond the reach of the Malaysian goalie.
Five minutes after the ferocious drag flick from Harmanpreet, SK Uthappa did well to give India a 3-0 lead, which they maintained till the end of the first half.
Three minutes into the second half, Gurjant Singh, who rescued India with a last-minute goal against South Korea, made it 4-0 for the Men in Blue. Seven minutes later, forward SV Sunil slotted in the fifth goal for India. The Sjoerd Marijne-coached side went into the last quarter with a 5-0 lead.
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As many as three goals were scored in the last 15 minutes. First, Razie Rahim finally managed to score a goal for the Malaysians in the 50th minute. Ramadan Rosli put one more past Indian goalie Suraj Karkera, who had had a brilliant match until now, to make it 5-2.
But India responded brilliantly as former skipper Sardar Singh scored the last goal of the match to make it 6-2 for India. India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan, who they beat 3-1 in the group stages, in their final Super 4 match.
Source: HindustanTimes