India thrash Malaysia on Day 5 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup: Hockey Recap
The round match of the 20th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup between India and the host Malaysia concluded on Monday May 9, at the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia with India coming triumphant 5-2.
With a commanding victory over the host team, India took the revenge for their 5-2 defeat in the Asian Games semi-finals.
There were few changes in the two teams, as Mohd Madzli Ikmar and Roslan Jamaluddin were not included in the Malaysia’s team, whereas the Indian side excluded Adrian D'Souza and Vikas Sharma from the final line-up.
Malaysia established their dominance from the very first minute through ball possession. However, the domination could not last for long, as Roshan Minz found a gap inside the circle and gently played a shot at the Malaysian goal, opening the score 1-0.
The host side carried out a counter-strike, but it was deflected in the hands of Indian defenders. In the meantime, Indian strikers started more offensive game and carried out back to back attacks. Ravi Pal made it into the Malaysian defensive circle with
the goalie all alone, but a timely save by S. Kumar denied the attempt. In a rebounding struggle, Mandeep Antil struck a powerful shot at the Malaysian goal and doubled the tally in the 18th minute.
In the 22nd minute, the Indian team awarded their first short corner and this time tested Rupinder Pal Singh. He did not disappoint the team, sent a drag flicking shot to past the Malaysian custodian and took the lead up to three goals, 3-0. After
conceding three goals, the Malaysian team started more aggressive game to find the score.
With one minute left on the clock, Muhammad Azammi Adabi managed to take the ball inside the India’s defensive circle and unleashed an outstanding shot that moved absolutely in the right corner of the goal. In the very next minute, India counterattacked
and this time Sunil Sowmarpet lit the lamp for India. At the half time, India was leading the game by three goals, 4-1.
In the second half of play, Malaysia made an impressive start by back-to-back strikes. Mohd Shahrun Nabil in the 43rd minute managed to take the ball at the top of the circle and past Indian goalie to reduce the lead down to two goals, 4-2.
The two teams received plenty of chances, but failed to get additional goals in the remaining period. The Malaysian side missed a couple of short corners in the 63rd and 65th minutes, but failed to make them fruitful.
Mandeep Antil in a counter-strike scored another goal in the 69th minute of the game and took the lead up to three goals. As the final horn sounded, India rode away the field with a commanding 5-1 victory.
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