India vs Malaysia Asia Cup Hockey Final: India beat Malaysia 2-1, win title

India managed to hold off a big challenge from Malaysia to win the Asia Cup 2017 title in Dhaka on Sunday. The final in Sunday began on a good for India but Malaysia pushed the team until the final minute. India scored in the second minute of the game and later in the 29th minute in the 2-1 win over Malaysia. The runners-up pulled one back in the 49th minute but could not find the equaliser till the end of the match. Ramandeep Singh and Lalit Upadhayay were the goal scorers for India, who won the Asia Cup title for the third time and the first time since 2007. Down by two goals, the Malaysians came out all guns blazing in the fourth and final quarter in search of the equaliser and gave the Indian defence a run for their money. After wasting their second penalty corner, Malaysia came back into the match when Saabah scored from close range in the 50th minute as the Young Indian defence wilted under pressure for a second. It was nervous last 10 minutes for the Indians as Malaysia mounted attack after attack in search of an equaliser. In the form of their third penalty corner, Malaysia had a golden opportunity to take the match into shoot-out but the Indian defence stood tall to maintain their slender lead. With three minutes from the hooter, Malaysia withdrew goalkeeper Subramaniam for an extra player but the move failed to yield desired result as the Indians managed to hold on to their lead for a famous victory.