Harmanpreet hat-trick helps India down Malaysia 4-2 at Asian Champions Trophy

Harmanpreet Singh

JALANDHAR: India registered a 4-2 victory over Malaysia in an engaging contest in the penultimate league match at the Asian Champions Trophy here on Sunday. Captain Harmanpreet Singh led from the front with a hat-trick.India made a confident start against Malaysia and took the lead in the third minute with Harmanpreet's powerful drag-flick finding the net. India had chances to swell the lead, but failed to convert. The hosts displayed impressive composure and control, moving the ball around with precision and using their passing game to dictate the tempo. Up front, India had to do without in-form striker Abhishek, who picked up an injury during warm-ups.The contest turned into a penalty-corner battle, with Malaysia piling on the pressure and earning three. However, Indian goalkeeper Krishan Pathak stood tall in the post. However, the Malaysian pressure eventually paid off. Akhimullah Anuar found a way through India's defensive line to level the score in the 26th minute.India came out firing in the third quarter, putting the Malaysian defence under sustained pressure.

A penalty corner earned by Sukhjeet Singh created the chance, and Harmanpreet unleashed a trademark drag-flick to restore India's lead. Malaysia's Faiz Jali was shown a yellow card for a tackle on Mandeep, and India made the most of the man advantage as Sukhjeet Singh unleashed a reverse flick off a Hardik pass to stretch the lead.

With two minutes to go, India found the fourth goal with Harmanpreet completing his hat-trick by converting a penalty stroke.A minute later, Shello Silverius added a consolation goal for Malaysia.Other results: Korea: 5 ( Park Geunwoo 7,34; Son Dain 17, 32, 51) bt Bangladesh 0; Japan: 2 ( Raiki Fujishima 48; Yuma Nagai 48) drew with China 2 (Zhang Jialiang 8; Chen Benhai 60)