A strong Indian men’s hockey team have drawn with Malaysia today in a crowd stunner that saw a 5-3 Malaysian lead stolen in the final minutes of the match.
India scored in the seventh minute off a sound penalty corner, and Malaysia looked to have scored immediately after, but after some consideration from the umpires, the goal was denied.
Throughout the first half, as India scored, Malaysia was close behind, until the score was 3-3 at half time.
Malaysia surprised the crowd with two quick goals in the opening minutes of the second half to take the score to 5-3, and then in the 61st minute the Indian team managed to narrow their losing margin off a penalty corner.
In the final minutes, India scored an equaliser off a short corner. It was a case of déjà vu for Malaysia, who also missing a win in the final minutes on Wednesday against Great Britain.
India will go on to the men’s gold medal match tomorrow against Australia, and Malaysia will play Great Britain for the bronze.
Full time score: MAS 5 - 5 IND
Half time score: MAS 3 – 3 IND
IND 5, Karan 9”, Diwakar 19”, 24”, 61”, 67”.
MAS 5, Abdul Gaffar 7”, 33”, Ahmad Tajuddin 21”, Makbul Singh 39”, Abdul Hamid 39”.
In the second women’s match of the day, India and USA were both keen to notch up their first win for the AYOF.
Strong ball skills from India gave them an initial advantage, but the American girls showed a hunger for possession, which they maintained throughout the game.
A dangerous high ball early in the first half secured India a penalty corner, but they were unable to score.
At the half-time siren, the patient crowds were yet to see a goal from either team, leaving everything up to the final 35 minutes of the game.
India was unlucky in the 41st minute with a strong attempt on goal hitting the cross bar and denying them the first point of the game.
It was a relief for India to score the first goal of the game in the 56th minute of the game, which gave them an obvious morale boost, driving them to attack USA’s goal with renewed vigour.
A flawless series of short passes took India through to the US goal to increase their lead by another point just seconds before full time.
Full time score: IND 2 – 0 USA
Half time score: IND 0 – 0 USA
IND 2, Thockchom 56”, Tindal 69”.
USA 0.
Georgia Gilson
AOC
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And in a friendly at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Malaysia's Under-17 team beat Singapore Junior World Cup trainees 1-0. In the first friendly on Friday, Malaysia won 4-2.
The last friendlly will be held today (18-01-09).
