Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2016: Hockey Dairies – India rout Malaysia 6-1 to enter final

Content

Ramandeep Singh nets a double as India carve their way to the final

Home ground advantage at Ipoh, Malaysia, failed to cheer up the hosts as Indian hockey team thrashed the hosts 6-1 to enter the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2016.

Eyeing the final’s birth, India started the first quarter briskly as two goals were recorded by the Blues, within the first seven minutes. Nikkin Thimmaiah struck the first goal in the 3rd minute and later midfielder Harjeet Singh found the back of the net with a commendable reverse-flick, in the 7th minute. India concluded the first quarter with a 2-0 lead over the hosts and 63 percent possession over the ball.

Malaysia appeared in desperate to better their case in the second quarter. Starting the quarter aggressively, Malaysia earned their first penalty corner in the 22nd minute, though they failed to convert it into a goal.

Sardar Singh-led blues carried the aggression forward in the second quarter as well. India got two penalty corners in the second quarter and scored of both , however they were recorded as field goals.

Indian forward Ramandeep Singh and midfielder Danish Mujtaba struck brilliantly, respectively in 25th and 27th minute. The Blues penetrated the Malaysian circle 9 times and possessed the ball for 60 percent till the half-time.

Goals from second quarter

Third quarter of the game saw India showing no mercy towards the hosts. Ramandeep Singh scored his second goal in the 39th minute, flicking the ball into the goal-post just like the last time. At the end of the quarter, India were well on top with a 5-0 lead.

Ramandeep Singh’s second goal

Spectators at Malaysia witnessed a tough-fightback by the hosts in the final quarter, as Muhammad Saabah scored the only goal for Malaysia in the 46th minute. The last goal of the match came from the stick of Indian forward Talwinder Singh as he scored in the 50th minute.

In the final stage of the tournament, India will face table-toppers Australia, who outclassed Canada 3-0, earlier in the day. India previously lost to Australia 5-1 in a group stage match, Mark Knowles-led Australian team will look to repeat their triumph on Saturday.

Share

FollowYourSport