6 October 2010, DCWG
India had to play out of their skin as they came back from a goal down to edge past a spirited Malaysia 3-2 in a Men's Hockey Pool A match last night.
Dhanjay Mahadik (27 minutes) and Sandeep Singh (35 minutes) scored from two set pieces for India, while Bharat Chikkara netted the winner just three minutes before the hooter. For Malaysia, Hanafi Hafifihafiz (15 minutes) and Azlan Misron (34 minutes) were the goal-getters.
The match started at a slow pace with both the sides taking time to settle down but gathered pace as it progressed. From the onset, India played a very tactical game even though the defence looked a bit shaky initially. The Indians relied more on keeping the ball possession as their mid-field and forward line seemed to be in no hurry to score.
The Malaysians threatened the Indian defence on more than one occasion, one of which resulted in the opening goal of the match.
On 15 minutes, Hafifihafiz opened the scoring with a reverse hit after receiving a pass from Mohd Jalil Muhammad Marhan to bring the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium to a deafening silence. Stunned by the goal, India unleashed a series of attacks on the Malaysian post but on all occasion the strikers were unable to find their target. India then earned their first penalty corner on 22 minutes but wasted it as their variation did not work.
Malaysia could have doubled their score if not for Indian goalkeeper Bharat Chetri, who saved the home team on two occasions in the opening half – first padding away Hanafi's shot and then diving full length to his right to keep away Faizal Saari's low drag-flick from Malaysia's first short corner.
India forced their way back into the match on 27 minutes when Mahadik scored from the host's second penalty corner.
But Malaysia restored their lead seven minutes later when Razie Muhammad Rahim found Azlan Misron unmarked inside the Dee with a beautiful diagonal pass and the striker made no mistake in putting the ball in top half of the Indian net past Chetri.
India, however, drew level at the stroke of half-time through star drag-flicker Sandeep, who slammed the ball into the Malaysians' right corner. With the scoreline tied at 2-2, both the teams displayed fast hockey in the second half. Sandeep had a golden opportunity to send India ahead on 49 minutes but his powerful flick from a penalty corner was brilliantly saved by Malaysian goalkeeper Kumar Subramiam. Then, on 66 minutes, Bharat Chikkara pounced on a ball on top of the Malaysian circle and slammed it home.
India will next face world champions Australia in their next pool match on Thursday while the Malaysians will today be up against Pakistan, who yesterday beat Scotland 3-0
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