20 October,2017 11:17 AM IST | Dhaka | Sundeep Misra
Following their tough 1-1 draw against South Korea, India knew only a win could have kept them in the running for an Asia Cup final berth
Following their tough 1-1 draw against South Korea, India knew only a win could have kept them in the running for an Asia Cup final berth.
And to the delight of a nation, Diwali crackers went off in the form of goals as India dismantled Malaysia 6-2 in a match that was played with sustained momentum.
Indian players celebrate a goal against Malaysia in an Asia Cup Super 4 match at Dhaka yesterday. Pic/PTI
India were under pressure having lost the last two matches to Malaysia -- at the Azlan Shah and then in the Hockey World League at London -- but yesterday they wrested the initiative and plundered goals.
Akashdeep opened the scoring in the 14th minute and then in the second quarter, Harmanpreet Singh flicked in a penalty corner to make it 2-0.
SK Uthappa (24th minute) and Gurjant Singh (33rd minute) made it 4-0 before SV Sunil got the fifth goal in the 40th minute.
India relaxed in the fourth quarter, allowing Malaysia some space and they pulled back two goals through Rahim Razie (50th minute) and Rosli Ramadan (59th minute).
However, in the 60th minute, Sardar Singh pulled off a spectacular reverse shot as India finished the match 6-2. Indian coach Sjoerd Marinje said, "It was the speed that made the difference and we hope to keep the momentum going against Pakistan on
Saturday."
A win against Pakistan would give India seven points and assure a place in the Asia Cup final.
