New Delhi:
India on Sunday ended their 10-year wait for continental triumph beating a gutsy Malaysia 2-1 in the final of the Asia Cup Hockey Championship—their third title in the tournament’s history.
India, which won the Asia Cup last time in 2007 in Chennai, scored from field efforts through Ramandeep Singh (3rd minute) and Lalit Upadhyay (29th) to dash the hopes of Malaysia, who were in sunmmit clash for the first time.
The ever-improving Malaysians, however, fought valiantly and didn’t give up for a single minute. Their efforts bore fruit in the 50th minute when Shahril Saabah pulled one goal back.
The Indians, ranked sixth in the world, were in for nervous last 10 minutes as Malaysia went full throttle for an equaliser.
But the Indian defence were equal to the task and did well enough to hold onto their slender lead.
India on Saturday needed just a draw against arch-rivals Pakistan to reach into the finals of Hockey Asia Cup 2017 but the team not just won the match but badly thrashed Pakistan by 4-0 in the Super 4s of Hockey Asia Cup 2017.
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The opponent Malaysia played 1-1 draw in a virtual semi-final against South Korea to advance into the finals of Hockey Asia Cup 2017.
Here are the live score and updates of India vs Malaysia, Hockey Asia Cup 2017 finals:
# Highlights | India beat Malaysia 2-1 to clinch 3rd Asia Cup Hockey title
# Malaysia finally score, the match is not over yet. The lead now goes down to 2-1 for India.
# India just 10 more minutes away from its third Asia cup title.
# Penalty corner for Malaysia, Will they come back in the game? NOoo a wide drag flick. Another good chance missed.
# Malaysia on the offensive but not being able to pierce through India's defence.
# A fantastic 1st half for India as they have a two-goal cushion heading into the break.
HT! A fantastic 1st half for India as they have a two-goal cushion heading into the break.#HeroAsiaCup #INDvMAS pic.twitter.com/jIcsqBEqhG
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) October 22, 2017
# A perfect deflection by Lalit as India doubles their advantage.
29' GOAL!!! 🇮🇳2⃣-0⃣🇲🇾
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) October 22, 2017
A perfect deflection by @lalithockey as India doubles their advantage.#HeroAsiaCup #INDvMAS
# The score remains unchanged as Malaysia are unable to breakdown India's solid defence.
#ICYMI: @ramandeep_31's splendid finish to open the scoring in this grand finale!#INDvMAS #HeroAsiaCup pic.twitter.com/bKX54ZXRo4
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) October 22, 2017
# End of Quarter 1, the early goal has given India the charge in this game.
# Asia Cup Hockey Ramandeep scores early to give India 1-0 lead.
3' GOAL!!!🇮🇳1⃣-0⃣🇲🇾
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) October 22, 2017
Off to flyer as @SVSunil24 and @ramandeep_31 combine to give India the lead.#HeroAsiaCup #INDvMAS pic.twitter.com/4xX015Ddsi
# India have won the Asia Cup twice in the past - 2003 Kuala Lumpur and 2007 Chennai.
# And here is the starting Xi for team India.
Here’s Team India’s XI for the grand finale vs Malaysia in the #HeroAsiaCup 2017 (Men) on 22nd Oct. #INDvMAS
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) October 22, 2017
📺: Star Sports & Hotstar pic.twitter.com/TFfMwjc6as
# Watch the highlights of from India’s stupendous victory over Pakistan in the Super 4s on 21st Oct.
#ICYMI: Highlights from India’s stupendous victory over Pakistan in the Super 4s on 21st Oct.
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) October 22, 2017
VC: @StarSportsIndia #INDvPAK #HeroAsiaCup pic.twitter.com/rUXh0jjSQp
