Preview: India will face Malaysia in the final of Hockey Asia Championship after a thumping 4-0 win over Pakistan in their final second-round clash in Dhaka on Saturday. Pakistan and South Korea will face-off in the bronze medal match on Sunday. India now have seven points from three games, while Pakistan are eliminated as they have one point, having suffered two defeats and a draw against Malaysia. [caption id=“attachment_4165021” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
India will look to clinch the Hockey Asia Cup at the final against Malaysia. Twitter/@TheHockeyIndia[/caption] Second-placed Malaysia took their points tally to four after playing out a 1-1 draw against South Korea, who collected three points in total. India have been clinical throughout their unbeaten run in the tournament. They beat Malaysia 6-2 in their second Super 4 match with a perfect display of attacking hockey. The Indian strikers toyed with the Malaysian defence with short passes, one-touch ball delivery to pump five beautiful field goals. For Malaysia, who had looked impressive with an all-win record so far, it was their first loss in the event. By virtue of the win, the Indians had also avenged their twin defeats — 0-1 in Azlan Shah Cup and 2-3 in Hockey World League Semi-finals in London — earlier this year. On Sunday, India will look to continue their unbeaten run with victory in the final.
Highlights, India vs Malaysia, Hockey Match Result, Asia Cup 2017 final: Men in Blue win 2-1
Catch the live score and updates of the Hockey Asia Cup 2017 final between India and Malaysia.
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So, that’s the end of Hockey Asia Cup 2017.
Hope you enjoyed our coverage.
For now, it’s good night and good bye!
…to sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
And the congratulatory tweets keep pouring in. From (currently injured) Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh…
And that’s it from Dhaka.
The team will get the Asia Cup.
And hopefully, this is the start of good things as the Indian team prepares for the 2018 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Pakistan finished third in the tournament.
The victorious Indian teams pose for photos.
The Indian team are celebrating on the pitch with the national flag.
Malaysia must be disappointed.
India left it a little too late.
They could have clinched the match in the 3rd quarter but too many misses in the Malaysian striking circle.
India are the Asia Cup champions for the third time.
Super win. It’s their first big win after winning gold at the 2014 Asian games and the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy.
Hail the Asia Cup champions!
And that’s it.
India are the Asia Cup champions.
They beat Malaysia 2-1 in the final. They win coming under massive pressure from Malaysia.
It’s the countdown.
Less than 30 seconds left.
Barely a minute left in the match.
Can India hold on?
Or will Malaysia come back?
Under two mins left in the match.
India lead 2-1.
India need to hold the ball.
Malaysia have pulled off their GK.
They now have 11 field players.
And they defend with their lives.
India trying to kill time.
Huge error from Varun.
Puts the ball onto his own feet with no Malaysians in front.
It;s a PC to Malaysia.
We are into the last five minutes of the match.
This will be close.
Malaysia will now use the high ball.
Six minutes left in the match.
India lead 2-1.
Errors creeping into India’s game.
Malaysia almost got another PC.
Malaysia look for the equaliser.
India out to defend it’s one goal lead.
This will be touch and go for India.
Malaysia have the space.
And they are playing with three upfront now.
India rotating the ball. Eating away time.
India must be angry with themselves. They missed open chances in the 3rd quarter.
And they let Malaysia come in and score.
It’s a soft goal and the Indian defence was caught napping.
It’s 1-2.
Game on.
Now it will be tense.
Under ten mins left.
Goal!
Malaysia have pulled one back through Shahril.
But India want the video umpire to have a look.
India lead 2-0 in the 4th quarter.
They play possession now. Precious seconds tick away.
And it’s Malaysia who miss.
But they get a PC.
Start of the 4th and last quarter.
15 minutes between India and the Asia Cup.
And that’s the 3rd quarter done with.
India could easily have scored a few more.
But the forwards are missing goals and even with an empty goal couldn’t smash the ball in.
Malaysia is still hanging in and knows that one goal can create pressure on India.
India cannot afford to have these misses.
They lead 2-0.
Another miss by Ramandeep Singh. Perfect ball from Lalit.
But he shoots wide.
Malaysia is still alive.
And that’s an open goal missed by Lalit Upadhyay.
Gaping hole in the Malaysian goal and he shoots over and wide.
What A Miss!!!
Under five minutes left in the 3rd quarter.
India searching for a 3rd goal.
India pressing through Sumit.
It’s his pacy move through the flank and middle that is causing problems for Malaysia.
India now looking for a third goal.
India should remember that Malaysia got a last minute goal against Korea to enter the final.
Almost there as Ramandeep and Sumit create a brilliant move.
India on the attack now.
Ramandeep is down, felled by a shot from Surender.
But thankfully he is up as Malaysia press from the flank.
A two goal cushion hardly lasts in modern hockey.
And the Indian coach would have surely said to get the goals and not break the structure.