Even as penalty corner conversions remained a sore point, India managed to retrieve full three points against Malaysia in their first match of the Genting 4-Nation Junior tournament. India won the hosts 3-1.

Debutante Victo Singh made his first match memorable by latching on to a rebound in the final moments before the hooter, to pep up the frustrated team’s morale. The team was definitely found wanting in scoring skills, struggling to finish despite garnering seven of the total dozen penalty corners in the first session.

Diwakar Ram converted India’s 9th penalty corner in the 44th minute to give India a 2-1 lead. Three minute earlier, Malaysia made use of their first penalty corner to neutralize Victo Singh’s effort. Tajudin Izwan was the goal tender.

Hard working winger Jaykaran finished off a melee in style to put India on the strong pedal.

India in all got 12 penalty corners, but Diwakar was off the target many times. Malaysian goalkeeper Adnan Hakim too was at his elements.

Malaysians seemed to have done their homework better, as their first rusher could thwart Indian ace Diwakar’s unifocal middle of the net flicks. Some indirect variation was also tried by India, but in vain.

Young Malaysians made some good moves late in second half but the Indian defence stood firm. Malaysia even got three penalty corners continuously without fructifying any.

Chief coach AK Bansal was seemingly unhappy, though he is fully aware of the fact that the new turf was difficult to negotiate.

“Well, am happy we won the match, got three points. We could have definitely played better, but in every tournament the first match is difficult one”, he said.

Earlier in the first match, Pakistan defeated Singapore 8-0. Captain Abdul Haseem posted four goals. All Pakistan’s goals were throu’ field efforts.

India will take on Singapore tomorrow in the first match, while the hosts engage Pakistan in the second.