Asian Champions Trophy Hockey: Rupinder, Chikte help India down hosts

Rupinder Pal Singh (right) in action against Malaysia in the 4th Asian Champions Trophy at Kuantan, Malaysia, on Wednesday. India won 2-1.

Ace drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh continued to stamp his authority on the ongoing 4th Asian Champions Trophy men’s hockey tournament as he converted two penalty corners to hand India a 2-1 victory over hosts Malaysia here on Wednesday.

Opening the scoring in the 12th minute, Rupinder saw Malaysia equalise through Razie Rahim’s drag-flick in the 18th minute, but got into the goal-scoring act again two minutes from the end to clinch the win in the crucial outing and top the league standings.

India survived some anxious moments as the hosts posed a serious challenge and had their citadel under pressure in the second half and even got a penalty corner in the dying seconds, but the defenders held their ground.

Rounding off their five outings with four wins and a draw, India topped the round-robin league standings with 13 points and now await the results of the last couple of games on Thursday to find out who they play in the semi-finals.

Malaysia, with nine points from four matches, take on South Korea on Thursday, while defending champions Pakistan play China.

Earlier, South Korea too qualified for the semi-finals with a 4-3 win over Japan.

India captain Sreejesh P.R. was rested for another game to help recovery from his ankle injury, giving the chance to reserve goalkeeper Akash Chikte who justified the faith reposed in him and brought off some fine saves.

Starting with a couple of brisk raids, India forced their first penalty corner in the third minute, but Rupinder’s rising drag-flick was deflected out by a defender’s stick.

Ace Malaysian striker Faizal Saari had a view of the Indian goal in the sixth minute, but shot wide trying to find an angle past the goalkeeper and under pressure of time from the Indian defenders.

Rupinder put India in the lead in the 12th minute off their second penalty corner, when he slammed a rebound into the net from close range.

Nikkin Thmmaiah could have stretched India’s lead two minutes later, but his deflection was saved by custodian Kumar Subramaniam, who played a fine game for Malaysia under the bar by effecting numerous saves.

Quick counter-attacks earned Malaysia a first penalty corner in the 18th minute and Razie Rahim produced the equaliser with a stinging shot that went shoulder high into the net.

Razie had opened the angle with a step forward to his right and the measured shot was not to be denied.

Malaysia came close to scoring again eight minutes later when a diving Joel van Huizen defelected a cross by Shahril Saabah from the right flank, but Chikte exhibited good reflexes by covering for the shot and blocking it with his body.

India had to play the last 10 minutes with 10 players after Surender Kumar was sent off. Malaysia’s brisk attacks were posing danger to the rival citadel when India earned their fourth penalty corner that Rupinder converted with a rasping drag-flick to the roof of the cage.