Hockey: India rout hosts Malaysia in Azlan Shah Cup

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After picking up a victory over Japan in the curtain opener and sharing the spoils with South Korea courtesy of a last-minute strike, India returned back to winning ways by routing Malaysia in the Azlan Shah Cup on Tuesday. This win helped the ‘Men in Blue’ to climb to the top of the table, joint with South Korea on seven points after playing three matches.

Malaysia was no match for India's prowess in the 2019 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
Malaysia was no match for India’s prowess in the 2019 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup (Image Credits- Azlan Shah Cup Twitter handle)

Hosts Malaysia started the match on a positive note, with India often reduced to their own half. However, their profligacy in front of the goal helped the scoreline remain intact in the first quarter. India got a free-hit from just outside the circle and made the full use of it as Sumit barged the ball across the goal-line to give India the lead in the 17th minute.

India earned five back-to-back penalty corners but Malaysia equalized through a short corner after Razie Rahim flicked it through in the 21st minute. India restored their lead just before the second quarter got over as Sumit Kumar scored a goal through open play.

As the teams came out of the tunnel after the second quarter got over, Varun Kumar gave India a two-goal cushion. Tengku Tajuddin did score for Malaysia with three minutes left in the clock to give them a lease of hope but, captain Mandeep Singh put all those aspirations to rest by scoring another one for India within a minute.

The fulltime scoreline read 4-2 in favor of India as they prepare themselves to lock horns with their North American neighbors Canada. Malaysia, on the other hand, will square off against South Korea.