Kumar holds key to final door

By Ajitpal Singh

IT could turn out to be a battle between goalkeeper S.Kumar and drag flicker Sandeep Singh when Malaysia face India in an explosive semi-final match at the Aoti Hockey Stadium today.
Kumar, who has played exceptionally well so far, will need to stop on-form Sandeep Singh from scoring if India are awarded penalty corners.
Sandeep, known for his powerful drag flicks, is the most feared player in the Asian Games. The defender has scored 10 times, all from penalty corners, so far.
“It is going to be a touch-and-go match. Sandeep has been doing great so far but I am prepared to stop him from scoring,” said Kumar at the Aoti Hockey Stadium yesterday.
Malaysia, who hoped for redemption in the Asian Games after the miserably performance in Delhi, defied the odds by drawing 2-2 with defending champions South Korea and edging China 4-2 to book their semi-final spot.
Strikers Azlan Misron, Hafifihafiz Hafifi and penalty corner specialist Amin Rahim have been exceptional for Malaysia, scoring 13 goals between them.
However, if Malaysia want to make their first ever Asian Games final, they need to learn from their defeat to India at the Commonwealth Games. In Delhi, Malaysia dominated and led twice against India but eventually lost 3-2.
For the record, India tend to be fragile against their rivals away from home.
In this year’s Azlan Shah Cup, Malaysia humiliated India 5-2, their biggest victory over their South Asian rivals in two decades.
National coach Stephen van Huizen said his team must tighten its defense and avoid giving away penalty corners against India.
“Our defensive line-up tends to lose concentration. We cannot afford it against India as they are the favourites. We must play tight because India have very good forwards and penalty corner set pieces,” he added.
Pakistan face Korea in the other semi-finals today.