Young Raj Kumar Pal struck a hat-trick as title-holders India sealed a semi-final spot after thrashing Malaysia 8-1 for their third consecutive win in the Hero Asian Champions Trophy, here on Wednesday.
Apart from Raj Kumar (3rd, 25th and 33rd minute), Araijeet Singh Hundal (6th and 39th minute), Jugraj Singh (7th minute), skipper Harmanpreet Singh (22nd minute) and Uttam Singh (40th minute) sounded the board for the India men’s hockey team.
Akhimullah Anuar (34th minute) managed the solitary strike for Malaysia.
Paris Olympics bronze-medallists India, who defeated hosts China 3-0 in their tournament opener before getting the better of Japan 5-1, are currently on top of the standings with nine points.
The six-team tournament is being played in a round-robin format with the top four advancing to the semi-finals on September 16. The final is on Tuesday.
India’s next opponents are Korea on Thursday before their league engagements end with a match against arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday. Pakistan too improved their chances of reaching the semis, after beating Japan 2-1 in the first match of the day.
Against Malaysia, the odds were against India going by recent results. Their last match was the final of the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy with India trailing 1-3 at half-time. But they came roaring back for a 4-3 win to clinch the title.
The men continued their fine form, starting on the front foot on Wednesday with relentless attacks. India scored five field goals, while three penalty corners were converted by Jugraj, Harmanpreet and Uttam.
Raj Kumar didn’t take long to hand India the lead, scoring a solo goal displaying incredible stickwork, making a mockery of the Malaysian backline. Three minutes later, Araijeet found the corner of the Malaysian post.
A minute later, Jugraj’s powerful drag-flick extended the lead.
Down by three goals, Malaysia started on an aggressive note in the second quarter
and soon earned a penalty corner, but the Indian defence stood tall.
India secured back-to-back penalty corners in the 22nd minute and Harmanpreet,
one of the world’s best drag-flickers, buried the ball into the Malaysian goal with a vintage flick.
Minutes later, the 26-year-old Raj Kumar scored his second goal after being set up by Araijeet and Uttam as India went into half-time with a commanding 5-0 lead.
Three minutes after the change of ends, Raj Kumar scored his first hat-trick at
the senior level from a rebound after vice-captain Vivek Sagar Prasad’s initial strike was saved by the Malaysian goalkeeper.
