Malaysia stun India at Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

IPOH: Malaysia stunned India 5-2 at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on Wednesday to keep alive their chances of making the final on home soil.

It was the biggest margin of victory ever achieved by a Malaysian team over the Indians, who are the defending champions in the tournament being played in northern Malaysia.

India still lead the standings with 10 points and a win over Egypt on Saturday will give them a place in the final.

Malaysia’s hopes will hinge on whether they win their next match, against China on Thursday, and also on the Australia-South Korea result in the round-robin event.

The first-half ended 1-0 in favour of the Malaysians with Mohamed Amin Rahim scoring off a penalty corner in the 27th minute.

The game came alive in the second-half, with Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin scoring in the 39th minute and Mohamed Razie on target in the 41st.

As Malaysia dominated, India wasted their chances, pulling a goal back in the 44th minute through Danish Mujtaba but failing to stop the home side’s stampede.

Amin scored a fourth goal in the 48th minute followed by Azreen Rizal on the hour.

India’s second goal was scored by Ravi Pal in the 68th minute.

Meanwhile, world champions Australia let slip a three-goal advantage to earn a 5-5 draw with Pakistan in an exciting match.

Both teams were parading a host of young players and Pakistan overcame a shaky start to share the points after scoring a last-minute goal.

Timothy Bates, Grant Schubert and Christopher Ciriello scored in the first-half for the Australians while Mohamed Rizwan replied for the Pakistanis.

It was 4-1 to the Australians by the 40th minute with Ciriello adding his second. But the cracks showed in the Australian game and Pakistan took advantage.

Skipper Mohamed Imran was on target twice while Mohamed Irfan and Mohamed Ummar Bhutta added the other goals.

Schubert was the scorer of the fifth goal for the Australians.

Pakistan coach K. M. Junaid said the result was a huge bonus for his team considering they are rebuilding.

“This shows we are on the right track in giving the youngsters a chance to gain valuable experience. They have a lot of potential,” he said.

“We did not expect to get a draw after falling behind 1-4. The players have made me proud and we must give them all the opportunity to make the grade at the senior level.”

The race for a finals berth is still wide open with five teams still in the hunt.