Harmanpreet Singh's Hattrick Powers India To 4-2 Win Over Malaysia

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh continued his goal-scoring spree with a fine hattrick as five-time champions India defeated Malaysia 4-2 to register their fourth consecutive win at the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament on Sunday. It was a rematch of the Asian Games gold-medal match, where India had defeated Malaysia 5-1 in Japan recently. India had beaten Bangladesh 13-0, China 5-2 and Japan 4-1 in their first three matches. Both India and Malaysia have already qualified for the semifinals of the six-team tournament, alongside South Korea and Japan.

India will play South Korea in their final round-robin match on Monday, while Malaysia will take on Japan.

On Sunday, Harmanpreet (3rd, 33rd and 58th minutes) converted two penalty corners and also scored from a penalty stroke, while striker Sukhjeet Singh (43rd) found the net from open play.

Malaysia's goals were scored by Akhimullah Anuar (25th) and Shello Silverius (60th).

The Indians started brightly, with skipper Harmanpreet giving the hosts the lead by converting their first penalty corner with a powerful flick to the left of Malaysian goalkeeper Hafizuddin Othman.

India continued to press hard on the Malaysian defence with multiple circle penetrations but failed to find the finishing touch.

Malaysia pressed hard in the second quarter and secured back-to-back penalty corners in the 18th minute but failed to breach the Indian defence.

India soon earned consecutive penalty corners, but Othman was up to the task, denying Harmanpreet on both occasions.

Malaysia kept up the pressure on the Indian defence and earned three consecutive penalty corners in the 24th minute, but the hosts defended stoutly to keep their lead intact.

A minute later, however, the Indian defence was caught off guard as Akhimullah Anuar scored from a loose ball inside the circle after being set up by Faiz Jali, sending the teams into half-time locked at 1-1.

India came out with greater intent after the break and secured their fourth penalty corner three minutes into the second half. Harmanpreet once again made it count, converting the set piece to restore the hosts' lead at 2-1.

India extended their advantage in the 43rd minute through Sukhjeet. Vice-captain Hardik Singh initiated the move by winning possession in midfield before passing to Sukhjeet, who finished brilliantly with a tomahawk strike.

Just two minutes from the final hooter, India earned their sixth penalty corner, which resulted in a penalty stroke after Harmanpreet's goal-bound flick struck the body of a Malaysian defender. The Indian skipper made no mistake from the spot.

Seconds later, India earned another penalty corner but failed to capitalise.

Malaysia pulled one back a minute later through a field goal from Silverius, but it proved to be only a consolation as India sealed a 4-2 victory.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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