Malaysia hand India a sudden death
In a tantalising shootout after full time ended 22, fancied India squander direct ticket to Tokyo Olympics
JAKARTA: It wasn’t India’s day in the men’s hockey competition here on Thursday. Their perennial weakness of conceding goals in dying minutes came to the fore again, as they lost to spirited Malaysia 2-2 (6-7) in penalty shootout in the semi-final. India now face Pakistan in the bronze medal match on Saturday after Japan rode Shota Yamada’s 18th minute strike to defeat them 1-0.
Experienced drag-flicker Razie Muhammad Rahim converted Malaysia’s fifth penalty corner into goal, a minute and 41 seconds before the final hooter to draw parity at 2-2, leaving Indians licking their wounds, at the GBK Hockey Field.
And thereafter, it was Malaysia’s turn to stage a comeback.
In penalty shootout, Fitri Mohd Saari, Firhan Muhammad Ashari scored two goals each, whereas Azuan Muhamad Meor, Faizal Saari and Ahmad Tengku Tajuddin scored a goal each.
For India, Akashdeep Singh converted twice, whereas Harmanpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh and Dilpreet Singh shared three goals between them. It was SV Sunil, who missed the final chance for the side.
The loss turned out to be a big shock for many, including coach Harendra Singh.
India were aiming for a top finish here to get direct entry to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and having beaten Malaysia 2-1 at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games a couple of months back, they were the outright favourites before start. But it didn’t go as planned.
SV Sunil, Akashdeep Singh and Mandeep Singh passed the ball well, creating opportunities in Malaysian citadel in the first two quarters.
After a goalless first half, Harmanpreet slammed team’s sixth penalty corner into the net in the 33rd minute to help India take 1-0 lead. But within a few minutes, Faizal Saari equalised in sensational manner as his powerful hit zoomed past goalkeeper and captain PR Sreejesh after hitting his pads in the 39th minute.
But India restored the lead within a few seconds as young drag-flicker Varun Kumar converted team’s eighth penalty corner. However, it was Razie’s goal that made all the difference in the 59th minute as his shot raced to the net, beating defenders and the ever-dependable Sreejesh.
In the shootout too, Manpreet muffed team’s first chance without even hitting the ball. Sreejesh came up with yet another scintillating performance, saving three goals even as Indian strikers failed to cash in on the chances.
Full marks to Malaysia goalkeeper Subramian Kumar who used all his experience to emerge victorious against Sunil on the last shot of the day.