Asia Cup hockey: India fight back in thrilling 3-3 draw against Malaysia

JAKARTA: India fought back brilliantly from a two-goal deficit to take a 3-2 lead before a goal five minutes before the end of the match, helped Malaysia hold the defending champions 3-3 in a Super 4s pool game in the Asia Cup hockey tournament here on Sunday.

The Indians, played poorly in the first half, were totally defensive and could not produce a single shot a the Malaysia goal. Malaysia capitalised on the passive play by the Indians and scored once in the first two quarters through penalty corner expert Razie Rahim to take 2-0 lead.

The young Indian team came back strongly in the second half, launched some superb attacks, controlled the midfield and defended well to score thrice through Visnhukant Singh (31st min), SV Sunil (52nd) and Nilam Sanjeep Xess (54th) minute to take 3-2 lead. Razie Rahim completed a well-deserved hat-trick when he converted another penalty corner to make it 3-3 five minutes before the end of the match.

The draw put India on par with Korea at the top of the standings with four points each from a win and a draw. Malaysia are third with two points from two draws while Japan are at the bottom of the Super 4s table after two losses. IANS

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