India showed resilience to come from behind and eke out a 4-3 win over Malaysia in the Asian Champions Trophy hockey final on Saturday. This was the fourth time India had clinched the title.
Akashdeep Singh scored the winner in the 56th minute with a slap stick from the top of the ‘D’ after receiving a pass from Mandeep Singh.
Malaysia began with positive intent as the Indians found it difficult to restrict their opponents. The hosts, however, converted their first penalty corner in the ninth minute, Jugraj Singh scoring with a fierce flick to the right of the Malaysian goalie.
The Indians got into their groove as the match progressed and played full-press hockey after the sluggish start.
But Malaysia continued to test the Indian defence. Their efforts bore fruit in the 14th minute when Abu Kamal Azari found the back of the net after being fed by Azuan Hasan from the right flank.
Seconds from the first quarter, India secured back-to-back penalty corners but wasted both the chances.
Malaysia kept up their tempo in the second quarter and earned two consecutive penalty corners in the 18th minute, the second of which was converted by Razie Rahim.
Malaysia got another penalty corner in the 28th minute and Muhamad Aminudin made no mistake to hand his side a 3-1 lead.
The Indians turned the match on its head after resumption, pumping in two goals quickly in the third quarter to level the scores at 3-3.
While India skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored from a penalty stroke in the 45th minute, Gurjant Singh found the back of the net from field play seconds later to make the scoreline 3-3.
India secured a penalty corner six minutes from the final hooter, but Harmanpreet’s flick was saved by the opposition goalkeeper.
In an earlier match, Japan finished on a high after defeating defending champions South Korea 5-3 in the third-place playoff.
Written with inputs from PTI
