India were dominant once again against Malaysia. They had beaten them 6-2 in the Super-4 stage and looked to continue in the same manner on Sunday. But, Malaysia came up with a better performance to push India to their limits. India had to survive a nerous final quarter and some tense final minutes before winning their third Asia Cup title by beating Malaysia 2-1 in the final of the 2017 edition.
Goals from Ramandeep Singh and Lalit Upadhyay helped India lift their first Asia Cup title in 10 years. India last won the title in 2007 in Chennai where they beat Korea in the final. They are now level with Pakistan with three titles in the tournament history. Korea leads the race with four titles.
The final on Sunday was expected to be one-sided for world number six team India but Malaysia showed they were no pushovers. Though India got the first goal through Ramandeep in the second minute of the game, Malaysia made India work hard for the rest of the game.
Playing their first ever final of Asia Cup fought valiantly and tried to equalise most of the time. Lalit doubled India’s lead in the 29th minute which pust India closer to the title.
Malaysia, however, continued to put India under pressure and that was rewarded when Shahril Saabah pulled one goal back in the 50th minute.
Though Malaysia tried hard in the final 10 minutes to find the equaliser, the Indian defence managed to keep them away and secure the title.
Pakistan won the bronze medal in the tournament as they beat Korea 6-3 in the bronze medal play-off match earlier in the day.
India entered the final of the Asia Cup hockey championship after a thumping 4-0 win over arch-foes Pakistan in their final second-round clash in Dhaka on Saturday.
After the teams were deadlocked goalless at the half-time, India ran rampage with goals from Satbir Singh (39th minute), Harmanpreet Singh (51st) Lalit Upadhyay (52nd) and Gurjant Singh (57th).
India now have seven points from three games, while Pakistan are eliminated as they have one point.
Second-placed Malaysia (three points) and third-placed South Korea (two points) will vie for the other final spot.
Coming into the match against Pakistan, India, despite having four points, were not guaranteed of a place in the final.
Pakistan, who had lost 1-3 to India during the pool phase, were expected to put up a stiff fight. They did show thet hunger with a strong start against India by earning three penalty corners inside the first quarter.
Pakistan kept their defensive shape well as they did not allow India to have spaces in behind their defence which meant that the latter struggled to attack.
But India also won a penalty corner in the 14th minute which was scuffed by drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh.
The tempo of the match increased towards the end of the first quarter but the second quarter saw both the teams battle it out in the midfield.
It was India who got the first chance to take the lead in the 24th minute through Ramandeep Singh but the Pakistani goalkeeper Amjad Ali deflected his shot to deny the Indians.
India, Asia's highest ranked team, then turned on the heat in the latter part of the second quarter as they won a penalty corner in the 28th minute. However the flick from Harmanpreet hit the crossbar as the teams ended the second quarter without a goal being scored.
The third quarter finally saw India penetrate Pakistan's circle as their team-work led to a great goal in the 39th minute. Forward Satbir made a darting run on the right flank and passed the ball towards the Pakistan goal but the defenders failed to intercept it, conceding the goal.
India kept the possession well throughout the third quarter and dictated play as cracks began to open up in the defensive line of their arch rivals.
India had a glorious chance to extend their lead in the 45th minute when captain Manpreet Singh found Lalit free inside the circle but the latter could only hit a shot which was saved by goalkeeper Amjad as India kept their 1-0 lead after the third quarter.
India entered the final of the Asia Cup hockey championship after a thumping 4-0 win over arch-foes Pakistan in their final second-round clash in Dhaka on Saturday.
After the teams were deadlocked goalless at the half-time, India ran rampage with goals from Satbir Singh (39th minute), Harmanpreet Singh (51st) Lalit Upadhyay (52nd) and Gurjant Singh (57th).
India now have seven points from three games, while Pakistan are eliminated as they have one point.
Second-placed Malaysia (three points) and third-placed South Korea (two points) will vie for the other final spot.
Coming into the match against Pakistan, India, despite having four points, were not guaranteed of a place in the final.
Pakistan, who had lost 1-3 to India during the pool phase, were expected to put up a stiff fight. They did show thet hunger with a strong start against India by earning three penalty corners inside the first quarter.
Pakistan kept their defensive shape well as they did not allow India to have spaces in behind their defence which meant that the latter struggled to attack.
But India also won a penalty corner in the 14th minute which was scuffed by drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh.
The tempo of the match increased towards the end of the first quarter but the second quarter saw both the teams battle it out in the midfield.
It was India who got the first chance to take the lead in the 24th minute through Ramandeep Singh but the Pakistani goalkeeper Amjad Ali deflected his shot to deny the Indians.
India, Asia's highest ranked team, then turned on the heat in the latter part of the second quarter as they won a penalty corner in the 28th minute. However the flick from Harmanpreet hit the crossbar as the teams ended the second quarter without a goal being scored.
The third quarter finally saw India penetrate Pakistan's circle as their team-work led to a great goal in the 39th minute. Forward Satbir made a darting run on the right flank and passed the ball towards the Pakistan goal but the defenders failed to intercept it, conceding the goal.
India kept the possession well throughout the third quarter and dictated play as cracks began to open up in the defensive line of their arch rivals.
India had a glorious chance to extend their lead in the 45th minute when captain Manpreet Singh found Lalit free inside the circle but the latter could only hit a shot which was saved by goalkeeper Amjad as India kept their 1-0 lead after the third quarter.
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