Helped by a fluent hattrick of Harmanpreet Singh, all penalty corner ones, India managed to ward off a 2-2 threat midway through the second half into a pleasant 4-2 win over the hosts Malaysia in its third win in four matches of the Johor Cup today.

Details:

Indian colts’ penalty corner expert Harmanpreet Singh struck a brace off two successive penalty corners in successive minutes to put India ahead 2-0 in the 27th minute of the ongoing Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia. Then struck his third one midway through second half.

After missing three penalty corners, Harmanpreet struck straight into the net for the match’s first goal in the 26th minute, a minute later in the fifth penalty corner, his strike hit the first runners and bounced into the net (2-0).

Malaysia pressed hard after that, got a penalty corner, second till now, but could not convert.

However two quick goals, field ones, nullified Indian lead after lemon break. Malaysia posted a goal in the 37th and 42nd minutes, as India falls back to a defence-oriented approach.

The tournament, being telecast by Star Sports 1 channel in India is played on the traditional format of two equal halves of 35 minutes, and penalty stroke replacing Shoot out.

Harmanpreet converted team’s first penalty corner in the second half, that again India lead 3-2 in the 54th min. Its a HATTRICK

Varn converts a stroke that came off when a forward trapping a solo push of Jarmanpreet Singh, for a sealing goal of 4-2 just five minutes before the full time.

Overall, India made use of 3 out of seven penalty corners.