India beat Malaysia 2-1, reach Azlan Shah final

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Posted online: Saturday , May 17, 2008 at 04:27:59
Updated: Saturday , May 17, 2008 at 04:27:59

Ipoh, Malaysia, May 17: India pulled off a narrow 2-1 win in their last round robin match against hosts Malaysia to book a berth in the final of the Azlan Shah hockey tournament.

First half goals by Shivendra Singh (9th) and Sandeep Singh (10th) put India in the driver's seat in the crucial match and they maintained the lead till the last minute before Mohammad Amin Rahim shot home a consolation goal for Malaysia.

With this win, India gathered 12 points from their six matches and set up a title clash against Argentina, who have finished with 14 points, on Sunday.

India, who lost their first two matches, continued with their impressive turnaround in the tournament to register their fourth consecutive victory and make the Azlan Shah final after a gap of 12 years.

India tried to keep the Malaysians under control in Saturday's game and in the initial minutes Sunil had a golden chance to score the first goal when he took the ball with a solo run and had a shy at the Malaysian post without succeeding in beating home goalkeeper Subramanian.

Then it was the run of Indian keeper Adrian D'Souza, who continued with his good showing against Pakistan and single-handedly blocked three back-to-back attempts by the Malaysian strikers.

India got into lead in the 9th minute when a Sandeep Singh slapshot from outside the Malaysian circle was deflected in by Shivendra Singh.

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Comments - 4

Wounded Tigers by Hemanshu Joshi on 18 May 2008

It seems our players are feeling the pain of not being able to make it Beijing. They are like wounded tigers. I hope this victory will help them what happened in past leave behind and bring them back into business. I think it is a good sign. Show must go on guys. Please keep up with good show and I am sure soon everyone will see you achievements for the country.We are proud of you.

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THANK GOD by Rajaram on 18 May 2008

thank god that idiot Gill is out of the hockey systme..See the difference!!!Even a indian team that is not full strength reached the final of a world class tournament..And from now watch what out team does!!!I think one more year is required for the team to settle>and boy we will be in the top five easy!!!!CONGRATULAIONS to everybody who has thrown gill out.

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Thank goodness KPS is gone! by Hemant on 18 May 2008

KPS was like a jinx on Indian Hockey. Eversince his ugly mug is gone the Indian team is performing better than before. I am glad he is gone. I hope they send him on some insane mission into China or something. I really don't want to see or hear from him again.

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Thank you! by vivek on 18 May 2008

Thank you Mr. Ashok Kumar, ajit Pal Singh, Zafar and Aslam sher KZhan for a true attempt to make a merit based Indian Hockey squad. We, the country know that you did not have enough time to really examine the boys after what Gill and gang had left of hockey but your eyes did make the indian name proud again. Cheers!!

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