India maul Malaysia 6-2; Pakistan and S. Korea draw

dhaka — A clinical India maintained their unbeaten run in the tournament with a 6-2 thrashing of Malaysia in their second Super 4 match of the 10th men’s Asia Cupon Thursday.

It was a perfect display of attacking hockey as the Indian strikers toyed with the Malaysian defence with short passes, onetouch ball delivery to pump five beautiful field goals.

India scored five field goals through Akashdeep Singh (15th minute), S K Uthappa (24th), Gurjant Singh (33rd), S V Sunil (40th) and Sardar Singh (60th), while Harmanpreet converted a penalty corner in the 19th minute to complete the rout.

Malaysia’s goals came from the sticks of Razie Rahim (50th) and Ramadan Rosli (59th).

For Malaysia, who looked impressive with an all-win record so far, this was their first loss in the event.

By virtue of the win, the Indians have also avenged their twin defeats — 0-1 in Azlan Shah Cup and 2-3 in Hockey World League Semifinals in London — earlier this year.

The win propelled India to the top of Super 4 stage after they drew 1-1 against Korea on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, South Korea and Pakistan played out a 1-1 draw in another Super 4 match.

India took the lead seconds before the end of first quarter when Akashdeep found the net with a powerful shot after receiving an inch-perfect pass from skipper Manpreet Singh from the halfway mark.

Malaysia tried to dictate the pace of the game in the second quarter and earned two penalty corners, but wasted both.

Harmanpreet doubled India’s lead in the 19th minute with a powerful flick off the side’s third penalty corner.

Uthappa made it 3-0 with a slap shot as Sunil’s pass landed before his stick after a deflection from a Malaysian defender.

After a quiet third quarter, Gurjant extended India’s lead from close range when he was set up by Uthappa, Lalit and Akashdeep’s combined play in the right flank.

Sunil then made it 5-0 with a diving deflection from Gujrant’s reverse hit cross.

India will play arch-rivals Pakistan in their third and final Super 4 match on Saturday. — PTI