The Tribune: Lively India storm into final

Thrash hosts Malaysia 6-1 in last league match; to face world champions Australia for title today

Ipoh (Malaysia), April 15

India produced an inspiring performance to thrash hosts Malaysia 6-1 in a must-win match and secure their seventh appearance in the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup here today.

Needing a victory in their last round-robin league fixture to qualify for tomorrow’s title clash, five-time winners India produced one of their best performances in recent time to beat the hosts and finish second ahead of defending champions New Zealand in the standings.

India’s opponents in the title encounter will be world champions Australia, who prevailed 3-0 over Canada to complete an all-win record in the league stage. Australia finished with 18 points from six outings, followed by India on 12 points and New Zealand on 11 points.

Australia have won this title a record eight times and were the losing finalists last year, when India won the bronze.

Nikkin Thimmaiah (2nd minute), Harjeet Singh (7th), Ramandeep Singh (25th and 39th), Danish Mujtaba (27th) and Talwinder Singh (50th) scored for India, while Shahril Saabah (46th) scored a consolation goal for Malaysia.

India’s last appearance in the final of the Azlan Shah Cup was in 2010, when they shared the title with South Korea after torrential showers flooded the ground.

Watching the India-Malaysia contest from the sideslines were New Zealand, who will now face Malaysia for the bronze medal tomorrow. Malaysia, who last beat India in last year’s Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, needed a seven-goal victory to edge ahead of New Zealand in the standings. The hosts went out seeking to avenge their loss to India in the HWL Semifinals that cost them an Olympics berth. But India were clearly superior today.

Quick off the blocks

Starting on a brisk note, India had four scoring opportunities in the initial five minutes, but managed to utilise just one through Nikkin Thimmaiah after he was fed by SV Sunil. Playing a one-two with Manpreet Singh, Sunil dribbled along the goal-line before pushing the ball across to Thimmaiah, who flicked it in from the near post.

India could have scored again in the next minute when Ramandeep had the ball in the circle and the Malaysians were outnumbered by the strikers. But he sent a directionless cross despite being aware that Sunil was way behind. Chinglensana Singh’s reverse shot went wide of the right post, completely missing Mandeep Singh and Talwinder.

Harjeet then finished a move that he started to give India a much-needed two-goal lead. The 20-year-old picked up a loose ball near India’s 25-yard line, passed it to Sardar Singh and carried on with his run to again receive the ball at the Malaysian 25-yard line. His first-time pass to SK Uthappa inside the circle was deflected back into his path off a defender’s foot. With just the on-rushing keeper to beat, Harjeet’s measured reverse shot into the backboard showcased the junior India captain’s famous composure. The goal also underscored Harjeet’s brilliant all-round performance today.

Malaysian striker Ramadan Rosli could have reduced the lead two minutes later, but he failed to reach a long ball from captain Razie Rahim. Ramandeep at the other end shot wide from close range.

Razie was shown a yellow card when he fouled Sunil just as the Indain forward was about to dodge past him into the Malaysian circle. India were also awarded a penalty corner. After a fumble at the top of the circle, Mujtaba pushed the ball towards the goal. Uthappa’s touch was stopped by the keeper but Ramandeep was lurking around to swipe the ball into the goal.

Two minutes later, Harmanpreet Singh’s rasping drag-flick rebounded off the bar —second time in the match — and this time Mujtaba sent the ball back into the net.

Ramandeep completed his brace by deflecting in Harmanpreet’s long diagonal ball from the right.

Talwinder then rounded off the scoring by slamming in a rebound from the goalkeeper.

Results

Japan 1
4 Pak

Yamada 48’

Shan 20’ Rizwan 24’ Qadir 48’, 57’

Australia 3

0 Canada

Knowles 16’ B Govers 33’ Ogilivie 36’

India 6
1 Malaysia

Thimmiah 3’ Saabah 46’

Harjeet 7’

Ramandeep 25’, 39’

Mujtaba 27’

Talwinder 50’

Today’s matches

5th place: Pak vs Canada (1:10pm)

3rd place: Malaysia vs NZ (3:35pm)

Final: Australia vs India (6:15pm)

Live on Star Sports 1