India get past Malaysia by a whisker

When you stand first in your group (India) and meet a team that stands last in the other group (Malaysia), it sounds one-sided. It wasn’t meant to be in India v Malaysia in the 3rd quarter final in Champions Challenge, Johannesburg. Ensuring a gripping last-minute extra time finish, India beat Malaysia 5-4 in this evenly balanced match.

For India, goals were scored by Sandeep Singh (7th, 24th min), Yuvraj(64th min), Sunil (67th min) and Raghunath (85th min) whereas for Malaysia, the goal was scored by Izwan, (33rd min), Azlan (42nd min, 58th min) and Tengku (46th min).

It was a rough match where Indians got three Yellow Cards (Gurbaj, Rupinder Pal and Manpreet) and one Green to Raghunath and Malaysians also equaled by two Yellow and two Green.

India took an early lead in the 7th min with Sandeep Singh scoring through a penalty corner. With right flank effectively blocked by Malaysia, it was the left flank that earned them two penalty corners – in the 7th min and in the 24th min when Lakra found a Malaysian foot. Sandeep’s flick was accurate and Indians were cruising ahead with 2-0.

For Malaysia, their right flank looked dangerous but poor finish denied them any goals. Luck, however, finally favored them in the 33rd min. Malaysian Abdul Mutalib received a long cross pass in the Indian D, he passed it to Malaysian Izwan. He, taking his time, with three defenders and Sreejesh around, impertinently, directed his shot to the desired spot, making it 2-1 with India leading.

Until this goal, it looked like an India’s match. However, thereafter, at the onset of 2nd half, Malaysia took it forward from where they left after their first goal. They piled attacks after another, always making sure that their fort remains intact.

Azlan scored a beauty for Malaysia (42nd min) when he received a pass, in the left flank, inside India’s circle. All defenders were up and were marking the Malaysians. Azlan beat a charging Sreejesh and scored a slow-pace, well directed goal to make it 2-2 pulling back Malaysian back in the game.

In the 45th min, Sarvanjit by his brilliant stick ensured a penalty corner for India. However, with a quick charge-down by Malaysian Charan Baljit and an effective block by him, Indians were denied any rejoice.

With a rather unimpressive Indian forwards failing to make any attacking move, the match drifted towards Malaysians. Tengku, running down into India’s circle, took a quick shot at the goal. Sreejesh defended it, but a quick rebound reached Tengku again. A hit from the top of the circle, and the ball flew miles away to the left of Sreejesh, putting Malaysia in command 3-2.
In 54rd min, a penalty corner was wasted by India as Raghunath’s flick flew high above and outside the goalpost.

In 57th min, Malaysians put more salt on India’s wounds, by scoring a goal of a penalty corner. The drag flick was indirect; it was intended for the pusher, Azlan, instead. He deflected but Sreejesh was much ahead to fall back and stop that deflection making the score 4-2 in Malaysia’s favor.

This goal pressed the panic button for Indians forwards but Malaysia kept the pressure on and earned another penalty corner followed in the 58thmin.
Thankfully for India, it missed its target.

Most of the second half, Indian forwards lacked imagination and ideas. When they didn’t, it was taken care of by agile Malaysian defenders; they, indeed, did a high-class job in the whole game.

However, in the final ten minutes Indians showed maddening urgency led by Arjun Halappa. A frantic move by Sunil in the 64th min, reached a patient Halappa at the goalmouth in a much crowded Malaysian circle. Taking his time, he gave it to Yuvraj to do the honors.

A quick counter attack in 67th min, courtesy Tushar, fetched India a penalty corner. The drag flick was blocked but not stopped convincingly by Malaysian custodian Subramanium. Sunil was waiting for the formalities. With India equalizing 4-4, Indians stamped their authoritative comeback.

In the Extra Time, reminiscent of India’s loss to Malaysia in Guangzhou Asian Games 2010, India came close to losing the match by a Golden Goal, at least thrice. A one-on-one save by Sreejesh, a clear by Sardara against Malaysian Rizwan and a foiled penalty corner with 3m to spare, was the saving grace for India.

All through the game, Sardara Singh remained the pivot for almost all the moves initiated by the India. He did most of the work in the crucial midfield and defense. At times, he also gave a full-hearted support to the forwards as well.

With only fifteen seconds left, Indians made their last desperate attempt and earned a penalty corner. Raghunath didn’t make any mistake this time. That marked India’s entry into the semi-finals of Champions Challenge, Johannesburg.

In the semi-finals, India faces the winner of upcoming match between Japan v South Africa.