Malaysia posed tough challenge for higher ranked rivals, but India could salvage a goal in each half in seeing them off in their third match of the Asian Women’s Champions Trophy at Seongong Sports Complex in Singapore and thus top the table with seven points ahead of Korea,China and Japan.
In the evenly played first quarter, rani Mallik cut through the entire Malaysian midfield on the left and with a couple of give and take with the shadowing Vantana Kataria sprinted into circle to backline shielding the ball, and then dodged well to give a minus, before back on time to deflect the feed from Vandana again for the beautiful first goal of the first match on Action Day 3 in Singapore.
This seventh minute goal stood unblemished till the 45th minute, before Deepkia added another one through penalty corners.
With 7 points after two wins and a draw, Indian place in the semifinal is assured.
India had amble chances to go up, but poor finish led them down in the entire match, barring the Poonam feat.
First penalty corner was a good godsend, but Anuradha was too deep inside circle,and could only deflect the indirect ball to the right side netting.
Misfiring penalty corner has been a thorn in the match though India’s second goal came out of the sixth.
Before half time, Deepika too hit her penalty corner shot very wide.
Five minutes in tothe second half Preeti made a brilliant solo, but was dispossessed on the top edge of the shooting circle. Chances thus were a galore, but the Malaysians under new coach Dharmaraj seemed equally determined.
When umpire Japan’s Junko Wagatsuma signalled India’s third penalty corner far off from shooting area for infringement, the hardworking Malaysian girls vehemently argued, and then when she again awarded PC on the previous drill follow through, the scene was tense. Dharmaraj had to step in to make the girls play, as they were still protesting and in disbelief.
However, India made at least three attempts before seeing the ball home in the controversial penalty corner, last touch given by Deepika
In the 48th minute, Deepika got another chance, but shot her hit inches to the right post.
Vandana in tandem with Poonam made another brilliant penetration, but at centre of shooting circle Al Noor Hasliza trapped perfectly shielding the ball to clear quite off.
India will take on China on 4th Nov in its last pool match.