India lived upto its image of Continental Champions once again, as it overcame fighting Malaysia 2-1 in the tense Asia Cup final today at the Maulana Bhasini stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh. India won the Asia Cup for the third time in eight final entries.
Thus India adds Asia Cup to its collection of Asian crowns. India are now Asian Games champions (2014), Asian Champions Trophy(2016) winners, gold medallist in Sub-Jr Asia Cup (2016) and have now clinched the 10th Asia Cup, its third in ten attempts and in eight final entry.
India got off to scoring business in the very third minute itself. As a shot kept usually alert Malaysian goalie busy a bit outside the cage, Ramandeep Singh utilized the lacuna to India’s benefit, as he connected Sunil’s minus though it first ricocheted off from near post first, but had all time in the world to again scoop it into the right side of cage (1-0).
A minute before half time, India enhanced the lead. Akashdeep Singh found Sumit in an advance position with a long pass and the latter then found Lalit Upadhyay inside the circle, who then calmly tapped in the ball in the back of the net to make it 2-0 (29th Min) in India’s favour.
India had huge advantage in the third quarter. It created chances aplenty, but either harried their shots or off target. They missed their chances, lending credit to Malaysian defence.
Renewed Malaysia smelt its chances in the very start of fourth quarter. Many chances came it way. Indian defence was a bit disarray, even Sardar Singh of calibre committing error in trapping.
A Malaysian forward moved into D dodging both Sardar Singh and Surender Singh to set Sahril Sabaah a threatening goal (2-1) in the 50th minute.
Malaysia came up with creative moves that constantly kept Indian midfield and defence on tender hooks. India conceded easy penalty corners, but however Akash Chikte and others on dutyh managed to keep clean slate till the final whistle.
India had two penalty corners in the first half against solitary one by Malaysia. First Harmanpreet Singh flicked wide and the second was wasted after Rohidoss’s grounder was spotted in time by Kumar Subramaniam. Rebound shot was taken, but again Kumar was alert.
India comfortably led 2-0 at half time.
AWARDS
Best goal: Harmanpreet Singh (India)
Most Promising Player: Assad Qureshi (Bangladesh)
Best Goalkeeper: Akash Chikte (India)
Top Scorer: Faizal Saari (Malaysia) & Harmanpreet Singh (India). 7 goals
Best Player of the Tournament: Faizal Saari (Malaysia)