Date:13/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/13/stories/2008071360511900.htm

Sport

India bests Malaysia, enters semifinal

Principal Correspondent

Japan posts a convincing win over Singapore

— Photo: Mohammed Yousuf

CELEBRATION TIME: Pramod Kumar (10) and Jagwant Singh celebrate as India defeated Malaysia 3-1 in the junior Asia Cup hockey tournament in Hyderabd on Saturday.

HYDERABAD: India rested two key players Vivek and Roshan Minz — but achieved a 3-1 win over Malaysia in a Pool ‘A’ match in the Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament at Gachibowli stadium on Saturday.

This was India’s second straight victory and gave the host a berth in the semi-final.

Gurbaj Singh showed the speed to create a few pleasing moves on the right flank.

Pramod Kumar, S.V. Sunil and Danish Mujtaba worked well to repeatedly test the Malaysian defence.

First chance

The hosts earned the first penalty-corner in the sixth minute. But the rasping hit from Diwakar Ram was well blocked by the custodian Abdul Hakim Adnan. In a quick counter-attack down the left-flank by Hang Edzharsyah Hang Tuah, Malaysia earned its first penalty-corner but a feeble effort saw it go in vain.

Once Gurwinder Singh Chandi came in, late in the first-half, the forward line picked up momentum.

India would have shot into lead but for the fumble by Danish Mujtaba, who failed to trap the ball in front of an open goal off a cross from the right by Gurbaj.

Malaysian forwards Muhamad Azammi Adabi and Faizal Saari threatened to break through quite a few times but were kept at bay the solid defence manned by Diwakar Ram and Innocent Kullu.

India takes lead

India took the lead in the 27th minute when Pramod Kumar deflected a perfect centre from the left corner into the goal.In the 30th minute, Diwakar Ram converted a penalty-corner and at half-time, India led 2-0.

On resumption Malaysia put up an improved display, forcing four penalty-corners.

A lapse by custodian Sreejesh P. Raveendran enabled Malaysian Khairil Anuar Md Isa to reduce the margin (1-2).

But with Diwakar Ram converting another penalty-corner (42nd min), India took a comfortable 3-1 lead and thereafter did not fritter away that advantage.

Thumping win

Earlier, Japan recorded a convincing, 9-1 win over Singapore to keep its hopes alive in the event.

The results:

Pool A: Japan 9 (Hiroki Shirawa, Kenta Tanaka, Taisuke Ito, Kenji Kitazato 2, Daisuke Suzuki , Ryohei Kawai, Hayayuki Fujiyoshi 2) bt Singapore 1 (Muhamad Zulfadhil Azman).

India 3 (Pramod Kumar, Diwakar Ram 2) bt Malaysia 1 (Khairil Anuar Md Isa).

Sunday’s matches: Oman vs Bangladesh (3.00 pm) & Korea vs Pakistan (5.00 pm).