Malaysia Squashed India’s Hopes of Reaching Final

After a stuttering start to the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2017, Stephen Van Huizen’s men will see their morale boosted heading into their 5th / 6th playoff match against Japan tomorrow with a well-earned 1-0 win over India in the final group stage match.

An estimated crowd of 3,000 at the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium set the mood as both teams produced a lively performance right from the start.

Malaysia came close to breaking the deadlock in the first quarter when Fitri Saari’s shot flew inches away from the mouth of the goal. Van Huizen’s men kept the opposition at bay even as India had much of the ball possession in the first quarter.

Few seconds into the second quarter, India earned their first penalty corner of the match. Goalkeeper, Kumar Subramaniam, who returned to the line-up after being dropped for the match against New Zealand on Wednesday, stretched out to palm away Rupinder Pal Singh’s stinging shot.

In the 23rd minute, Talwinder Singh of India saw his shot came off S. Kumar’s foot just a minute before they were awarded their second penalty corner. However, Rupinder failed to threaten the home team as his shot flew miles away from the goalpost.

India came unlucky again when Rupinder, skied his penalty corner into the stands as both teams head into the break with a goalless score line.

The national team’s improved performance in the second half saw Nazmi Jazlan came close to scoring from a penalty corner only to be denied by Akash Chikte, who was in goal for the opposition. Seconds later, Faizal Saari failed to capitalize when his shot from Malaysia’s second penalty corner was blocked by a defender.

Nazmi’s penalty corner in the 48th minute did not bear any outcome for the hosts, but it was not long before Shahril Saabah converted his penalty corner in the 51st minute to give the Malaysians a 1-0 lead.

India wasted further opportunities to level the score in the fourth quarter as Malaysia held on to take home the victory.

Regardless of their win today, Malaysia remain at the bottom of the standings while India dropped to third place and will go head-to-head with New Zealand for the 3rd / 4th playoff spot in the second match of the day tomorrow.

Results (5 May, 2017):

Australia 2-3 Japan
Great Britain 3-2 New Zealand
India 0-1 Malaysia

Fixtures (6 May 2017):

1540: Japan v Malaysia (5th /6th Placing)
1805: India v New Zealand (3rd /4th Placing)
2035: Australia v Great Britain (Final)

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