Speedy Tigers hunt for upset against Asian champions India

KUALA LUMPUR: National hockey coach Brendan Carolan wants the Speedy Tigers to bridge the gap with the world's elite sides as they prepare to face defending champions India in the Asian Champions Trophy tomorrow.

Malaysia take on the hosts at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, Punjab, on the back of rising to world No. 12 following pool wins over South Korea (3-1) and Bangladesh (6-1).

"We don't just look to finish top two, but we want to close the gap on the big teams ahead of us," Carolan said.

"We will take it game by game and focus on India first before we think of the Japan match. India are a good team, but we need to play better against them. It is a challenge, but we will show them what we can do in the match."

The Speedy Tigers are now the second highest-ranked side in Asia behind world No. 8 India.

Both teams have nine points from three matches, though the hosts lead the table on goal difference.

Six teams are competing in the tournament, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals after the single round-robin stage.

Malaysia conclude their pool fixtures against world No. 16 Japan on Monday.

India, chasing a sixth title, enter the contest in formidable form after wins over Bangladesh (13-0), China (5-2), and Japan (4-1).

Captain Harmanpreet Singh poses a threat after scoring five penalty corner goals in three matches, backed by a dangerous forward line featuring Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, and Shilanand Lakra.

Malaysia face an uphill task, having not defeated India since the semi-finals of the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games.

In their most recent encounter, India won 5-1 in the final of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games to secure qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Friday's results: Malaysia 6 Bangladesh 1, South Korea 2 China 1, India 4 Japan 1.

Tomorrow's fixtures: South Korea v Bangladesh (5pm), China v Japan (7.15pm), Malaysia v India (9.30pm)