India Shines with a Thrilling 4-1 Win Over Malaysia in Men’s Asia Cup
Rajgir, Bihar – September 4, 2023 – In a exciting match at Rajgir Hockey Stadium, India’s men’s hockey team delivered a fantastic 4-1 victory against Malaysia in the Men’s Asia Cup Super 4s. For captain Harmanpreet Singh, this win was extra special — he called it the “best gift” for his 250th international game.
The match started with Malaysia’s Shafiq Hassan scoring early, putting India on the back foot. But the hosts showed great resilience. Manpreet Singh quickly equalized in the 17th minute, and in just two minutes, Sukhjeet Singh and Shilanand Lakra gave India the lead with quick goals. Vivek Sagar Prasad added another in the 38th minute, sealing India’s second win in the Super 4s stage.
After the game, Harmanpreet shared his happiness. “This win is the best gift I could have got on my 250th match. I’m really proud of how the team played,” he said. “Even after conceding the first goal, we didn’t lose focus. We stuck to our game plan, and I knew the goals would come. Yesterday was tough against Korea, but today everyone showed they can bounce back. Our forwards created chances, and our defense worked perfectly together.”
India’s coach Craig Fulton also praised the team’s determination. “I’m very proud of my players. After yesterday’s draw, they responded with great strength. Conceding an early goal isn’t ideal, but the team showed strong character and scored four goals in a row,” he said.
The game showed India’s ability to stay calm under pressure. As the match progressed, India grew stronger. Manpreet Singh’s goal from a penalty corner helped level the score, and Sukhjeet’s quick finish put India ahead. Lakra’s clever deflection made the score even more comfortable, while Vivek added the final goal.
Malaysia fought hard, earning penalty corners and creating chances, but India’s defense held strong. Captain Harmanpreet led the backline, and goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak made important saves to stop the Malaysian attacks.
Coach Fulton mentioned India’s preparations too. “We studied Malaysia carefully. Every team is different, and our players did a good job spotting the patterns. Our goal now is to qualify for the final, so we’ll keep focusing and working hard,” he said.
This victory boosts India’s position in the Super 4s and gives them confidence ahead of their next match against China on Saturday. Fans will be hoping for more exciting hockey as India aims to stay in the tournament and chase the title.
