Preview: Jolted by a loss to the Netherlands, India would look to regroup quickly when they take on Malaysia in the quarter-final of the Hockey World League Semi-Final in London on Thursday. After registering three convincing wins against Scotland, Canada and Pakistan, India wasted chances galore to slump to a 1-3 defeat against the Netherlands, their first in the tournament. The loss meant India finished second in Pool B behind Netherlands, who kept a clean slate. [caption id=“attachment_3735451” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
Akashdeep Singh (R) celebrates after scoring during World Hockey League Semi-Final. AP[/caption] The Indians only have themselves to blame for the defeat against the Dutch as besides conceding soft goals, they wasted numerous scoring chances. And come tomorrow, Roelant Oltmans’ men cannot afford to repeat the same mistakes against Malaysia, who are capable of springing surprises on their day. “This was our toughest match in the group and we had our chances, too. The good thing is that we came back after being 3-0 down but we didn’t do enough and got punished,” coach Oltmans had said after the defeat against Netherlands. Going by form and ranking, world no. 6 India start overwhelming favourites against the 14th-placed Malaysians. While striker Akashdeep Singh has been in superb form, scoring some scintillating goals in the tournament, he would look for support upfront from the likes of SV Sunil, Talwinder Singh and Mandeep Singh. India’s midfield, led by the talismanic Sardar Singh and skipper Manpreet Singh, will have to take more responsibility while the inexperienced defence needs to pull up its socks as one bad day in office can now throw the team out of the tournament. In the absence of Rupinderpal Singh, India were found wanting in penalty corner conversions with the young Harmanpreet Singh and Jasjit Singh Kular failing to live up to the expectations of Oltmans. But the performances of reserve goalkeepers Vikas Dahiya and Akash Chikte in the absence of an injured PR Sreejesh have been heartening. Meanwhile, in other quarterfinals of the day, reigning Olympic champions Argentina will play Pakistan, the Netherlands will take on China and hosts England will square off against Canada. With inputs from PTI
Hockey World League Semi-Finals 2017, highlights: Malaysia upset India 3-2
FP Sports
• June 22, 2017, 21:49:22 IST
Catch all the live scores and updates of the Hockey World League Semi-Finals clash between India and Malaysia in London.
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June 22, 2017, 21:47:11 (IST)
India were poor today and missed a lot of opportunities especially in the last quarter. Malaysia deservedly go into to the semi-finals after a laudable performance.
We have two semi-finalists decided: Argentina and Malaysia
Netherlands take on China and England take on Canada in the upcoming quarter-finals.
Don’t forget to join us for the semi-finals on Saturday and the final on Sunday.
Until then, have a good night and goodbye.
June 22, 2017, 21:37:39 (IST)
And that is all from the Lee Valley Hockey Centre. Malaysia have beaten India 3-2. This is their 2nd consecutive victory. In the Azlan Shah, they had beaten India 1-0.
June 22, 2017, 21:36:24 (IST)
India will regret the chances they missed. But they should have been more aggressive in the midfield. Malaysia played to a plan and they won.
June 22, 2017, 21:35:47 (IST)
Final scoreline
June 22, 2017, 21:32:10 (IST)
India can only blame themselves. No urgency. No structure. They imploded in a match they should have won.
June 22, 2017, 21:30:41 (IST)
And Malaysia have won the match 3-2. India are out of the Semi-Finals. Malaysian players on the pitch hugging each other. They have pulled off the impossible.
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June 22, 2017, 21:29:17 (IST)
What a miss by Ramandeep!
June 22, 2017, 21:28:33 (IST)
Just a min to go. Malaysia lead 3-2.
June 22, 2017, 21:27:40 (IST)
India have pulled off their goalkeeper. And now have an extra player in the field. But only two minutes left.
June 22, 2017, 21:26:23 (IST)
India are losing time. And in another three minutes the match will be in Malaysia’s favour. And Malaysia has their 7th PC. This could be the death-blow. If Malaysia score, it’s curtains for India.
June 22, 2017, 21:24:45 (IST)
Akashdeep cannot stop a loose ball in the Malaysian circle. Another opportunity goes away. Mandeep a complete non-starter in the match.
June 22, 2017, 21:22:47 (IST)
Six minutes to go and Akashdeep reverse hit is deflected by the Malaysian goalkeeper. Their best chance in the 4th quarter. Malaysia now holding the ball, running a few seconds off. They are going for a win.
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June 22, 2017, 21:21:17 (IST)
Structurally, India are not in the game. They are powering in but they need to control the ball play. At the moment, out of sheer desperation they are throwing in everything.
June 22, 2017, 21:18:45 (IST)
India has about ten minutes to get the equaliser. Time running out in terms of finding some fluency in their game. India are on the back foot. Malaysia throwing men into defence. Mandeep has the deflection. He should have controlled the ball as he had the space. But trying to be cute lost India an opportunity.
June 22, 2017, 21:15:59 (IST)
Malaysia get the lead 3-2. Razie Rahim scores his 2nd goal of the match. India are stuttering.
June 22, 2017, 21:14:15 (IST)
And Malaysia get their 6th PC. It’s 2-2 at the moment and a great chance for Malaysia to snatch the lead.
June 22, 2017, 21:13:08 (IST)
As the referee gives a 6th PC, India refer to the video umpire saying it was a high ball.
June 22, 2017, 21:11:57 (IST)
And Malaysia get their 5th PC. Can they score and take the lead?
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June 22, 2017, 21:10:59 (IST)
That’s the start of the 4th quarter. Tense minutes these as both teams are locked 2-2.
June 22, 2017, 21:08:26 (IST)
At the end of the 3rd quarter. both teams locked in at 2-2.
June 22, 2017, 21:07:16 (IST)
And that’s an expensive miss by Talwinder. Had the space but lets a shot that goes past the post. Expensive miss!!
June 22, 2017, 21:05:23 (IST)
India playing too crowded. Malaysia get a green card. Ragged play by both the teams. An error might give a goal to either of the teams.
June 22, 2017, 21:01:04 (IST)
Malaysia are on the defensive. This is the time to seize the opportunity and get the goals. India need the lead as minutes pass in the 3rd quarter. Taking it to the 4th quarter, will leave India open to counter-attacks.
June 22, 2017, 20:59:30 (IST)
At the moment both the teams trying to get through. No fluent moves. It’s more get the ball and run. Some structure needs to come in. India are attacking but need a fluency to get the goals. They have wasted two consecutive PC’s.
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June 22, 2017, 20:57:35 (IST)
India have wasted two consecutive PC’s. India need to get the goals against this Malaysian side. Remember if Malaysia win, they qualify for the 2018 WC. India as hosts are already qualified.
June 22, 2017, 20:56:00 (IST)
And that’s the 3rd PC for India. Consecutive ones.
June 22, 2017, 20:55:21 (IST)
And Sardar creats the 2nd PC for India. Can they?
June 22, 2017, 20:54:24 (IST)
The 3rd quarter seems to have opened up. India and Malaysia kind of letting the structure go for a while and go attacking at both ends. For India, controlling the game would be best. Talwinder has the ball but too much dribble.
June 22, 2017, 20:51:23 (IST)
India have replaced their goalkeeper. Dahiya goes out and Akash Chikte comes in. Harmanpreet get a green card. India down to ten men.
June 22, 2017, 20:49:22 (IST)
The 3rd quarter about to begin. The Indian defence not up to the mark in the 2nd quarter. Down by two goals they fought back to equalise.
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June 22, 2017, 20:46:26 (IST)
Scoreline at half-time.
June 22, 2017, 20:40:46 (IST)
India still rotating the ball around the flanks. And that’s the end of the 2nd quarter. It’s 2-2 at half-time.
June 22, 2017, 20:37:54 (IST)
India are back into the game. They had their 1st penalty corner in the game which was saved but the play brought the ball to Chinglensana whose stiff shot was saved by the Malaysian GK but the rebound was flicked in by Ramandeep Singh. It’s 2-2.
June 22, 2017, 20:35:36 (IST)
Ramandeep gets the equalizer on the spot to flick it in. It’s 2-2.
June 22, 2017, 20:33:43 (IST)
An ultra-defensive India trying to come out of it’s shell. Attacking now. Looking for the equaliser. It’s 1-2 to Malaysia.
June 22, 2017, 20:31:30 (IST)
That’s the goal from India. Sumit cross and Ramandeep deflects it in. It’s 1-2 to India.
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June 22, 2017, 20:29:56 (IST)
India have a game on their hand. They are 0-2 down and a non-existent midfield is piling on pressure. Both goals off set-pieces. India have to push. And push hard.
June 22, 2017, 20:28:13 (IST)
Malaysia get their 2nd goal off Tengku Ahmad. It’s a deflection after a flick by Razie. Malaysia lead 2-0.
June 22, 2017, 20:26:16 (IST)
Malaysia get their 4th PC of the match.
June 22, 2017, 20:25:52 (IST)
Malaysia attacking now. Using the length of the pitch. And now they want a referral for a PC.
End of Liveblog