The Tribune: Undisputed Asian champions
India beat Malaysia 2-1 to lift the Asia Cup after 10 years; won the Cup without losing a single match
India ended their 10-year wait for a continental triumph when they beat a gutsy Malaysia 2-1 in a nail-biting final to clinch their third Asia Cup hockey title here today. India, who last won the Asia Cup in 2007 in Chennai, scored through Ramandeep Singh (3rd minute) and Lalit Upadhyay (29th) to dash the Malaysian hopes. The ever-improving Malaysians, however, fought valiantly and kept the Indians on their toes throughout. They managed to score their first goal in the 50th minute through Shahril Saabah, but the Indian defenders stood firm thereafter, helping the side lift the coveted trophy. Pakistan won the bronze medal after edging out South Korea 6-3 in the play-off match for the bronze medal earlier in the day.
The triumph gave Marijne Sjoerd, India’s new chief coach, a perfect start at the helm of affairs. The top-ranked Indians finished unbeaten in the tournament, winning all their matches except for a 1-1 draw against South Korea in the Super 4 stage. Today’s win was India’s second over Malaysia in the tournament, having beaten them 6-2 in the Super 4 stage. For Malaysia, who made it to the final for the first time, it was their best result in the tournament. Their previous best was a bronze-medal finish, which they achieved in the 2007 edition of the event in Chennai.
Bright start
The Indians came out all guns blazing and took the lead in the third minute through Ramandeep, who scored from a rebound after his initial deflection from SV Sunil’s cross hit the post. It was a battle fought on an even keel with both the teams testing each other’s defence frequently. Malaysia secured their first penalty corner in the 13th minute but wasted it.
Harmanpreet Singh was then denied by Razie Rahim as he made a goalline save to keep out the defender’s flick from India’s first penalty corner. Minutes later, Malaysian goalkeeper Kumar Subramaniam made a double save — first he kept out Akashdeep Singh’s shot and then denied Amit Rohidas from the resultant set piece. A minute before half time, Upadhyay doubled India’s lead when he deflected home Sumit’s cross from the left flank.
Fight to the finish
After the change of ends, Upadhyay and Ramandeep came tantalisingly close to extending India’s lead but their shots from inside the circle went wide off the target. Down by two goals, the Malaysians tried their hardest in the fourth and final quarter, giving some scary moments to the Indian defence. After wasting their second penalty corner, Malaysia came back into the match when Saabah scored from close range in the 50th minute.
India endured some anxious moments in the last 10 minutes as Malaysia mounted relentless attacks in search of an equaliser. In the form of their third penalty corner, Malaysia earned a golden opportunity to take the match into a shoot-out but the Indian defence stood tall to save their slender lead. Three minutes from the final whistle, Malaysia withdrew goalkeeper Subramaniam for an extra outfield player but the move failed to yield the desired result.
Sultan of Johor Cup: India beat Japan 3-2
Johor Bahru: Dilpreet Singh struck twice and Sukhjeet Singh once as the Indian junior men’s hockey team beat Japan 3-2 in their opening match at the Sultan of Johor Cup here today. Dilpreet capitalised on a defensive lapse in the 11th minute to put India ahead. Japan found an equaliser in the 23rd minute with Kyohei Ogawa converting a penalty corner. Eight minutes later, Japan surged ahead when Ogawa scored his second goal. The Indian colts, however, fought back and found an equaliser in the 41st minute with Sukhjeet converting a penalty corner. In the 53rd minute, Dilpreet scored his second goal to give India the lead. Japan tried their best to score an equaliser but India did well to hang on to the lead till the end.
INDIA 2-1 MALAYSIA
INDIA: Ramandeep Singh (3rd min); Lalit Upadhyay (29th min)
MALAYSIA: Shahril Saabah (50th min)