INDIA GIVE MALAYSIA A HIDING
Asian giants bring hosts back down to earth
MALAYSIA played a hot and cold game which allowed India to beat them 5-1 in the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh yesterday.
After last night’s loss, now they must beat England tomorrow and hope Australia get the better of Argentina to have any hope of playing in the final of the 27th edition.
India took the lead off Shilanand Lakra in the 10th minute, when he received a cross from Gurjant Singh in front of Hafizuddin Othman and coolly lifted the ball over the goalkeeper for the opening goal.
Faizal Shaari managed to level the score in the 33rd minute, but goals from Gurjant Singh (42nd, 57th) and Ramandeep Singh (48th, 55th) killed off Malaysia’s hopes.
In an earlier match, World champions Australia booked their place in Saturday’s final when they beat Ireland 4-1, notching up 12 points from four matches, with a match in hand against Argentina tomorrow.
Jake Whetton (11th), Daniel Beale (14th), Govers (21st) and Jake Harvie (50th) scored for Australia while Shane O’Donoghue scored for Ireland in the 57th minute.
Australian coach Colin Batch said: “The weather was a little hotter in the first half but we will have to play again on Friday (tomorrow) against Argentina at the same time.
“If we can play six matches in eight days and take full points, it’s an amazing preparation for us in the build-up to the Commonwealth Games, Champions Trophy and World Cup.”
England and Argentina played out a 1-1 draw, making it more difficult for the Olympic champions to make the final.
Argentina now have to beat Australia tomorrow for a shot at gold.
Juan Gilardi scored for Argentina in the 40th minute, though David Condon managed to rescue his side with an equaliser in the 56th minute.
RESULTS — Australia 4 Ireland 1, Argentina 1 England 1, Malaysia 1 India 5.
FIXTURES — Today:
Tomorrow: Argentina v Australia (4pm), Ireland v India (6pm), Malaysia v England Matches at Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh