The Indian players celebrate after scoring a goal against Malaysia in the final of the Asia Cup.
Dhaka - Pakistan rode on a hat-trick by Ajaz Ahmad to demolish South Korea 6-3 and clinch the bronze medal
Published: Sun 22 Oct 2017, 6:49 PM
Last updated: Mon 23 Oct 2017, 1:49 PM
India underlined their continental supremacy as they overcame a fighting Malaysia 2-1 in the final here on Sunday to win the Asia Cup hockey championship for the third time.
Ramandeep Singh (3rd minute) and Lalit Upadhyay (29th) scored for the 2014 Asian Games gold medallists India. Shahril Saabah (50th minute) cut the deficit for Malaysia, forcing India to defend their territory for the nervous late moments of the game. India's previous two titles came in 2003 and 2007. The five-time runners-up seemed determined against Malaysia, who reached the Asia Cup final for the first time.
India got off to a dream start when S.K. Uthappa made a long pass from the left. At the left post, an unmarked Ramandeep tapped the ball on to the bar. When it rebounded, he didn't miss to give India an early advantage.
The pace of Indian forwards created troubles for the Malaysians, who were pegged back in their half. Malaysia responded by winning a penalty corner in the 13th minute but Indian goalkeeper Suraj Kerkera was alert. India pressed high and earned two penalty corners in the 19th and 26th minutes but the flicks from Harmanpreet Singh couldn't trouble Malaysian custodian Kumar Subramaniam and the defenders.
However, the intense play helped India win a second goal as a Gurjant Singh cross from the left was deflected home by Lalit. A handsome 2-0 lead at half-time triggered social media speculation that the Indian team, coached by Sjoerd Marijne, would again thrash Malaysia like in an earlier game.
India, Asia's top-ranked side, controlled the game in the third and penultimate quarter, creating many chances to extend their domination. In the 34th minute, India could have made it 3-0 but Gurjant, fed by a pacy Ramandeep, was denied by a diving Subramaniam. India got further chances to extend the scoreline. Lalit hit wide in the 40th minute while Ramandeep failed to connect a cross from the right the next minute.
A stunned Malaysia began foraying into the Indian defence in the fourth quarter. A defensive lapse from Sardar Singh let Shahril drive past Indian keeper Suraj in the 50th minute to reduce the margin -- and to open up the contest. A desperate Malaysia employed long balls to Indian box and suddenly the Indians came under pressure. They conceded two penalty corners but Razie Rahim's flicks were not good enough. India survived some anxious moments towards the close but they held on to the 2-1 scoreline before celebrations erupted in their camp at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium.
Earlier, Pakistan rode on a hat-trick by Ajaz Ahmad to demolish South Korea 6-3 and clinch the bronze medal. Ahmad scored in the 10th, 30th and 36th minutes while Rashid Mehmood (26th) and Abu Mahmood (32th) also sounded the board for Pakistan.
Suk Hoon Cho (20th), Namyong Lee (43th) and Inwoo Seo (55th) scored for South Korea.
The Koreans, unlike their previous Super 4s matches, were not at their usual defensive best and Pakistan took complete advantage of that as they attacked from hooter to hooter, showcasing exemplary skill to make space in the Korean circle.
It was Ahmad who was the hero of Pakistan's victory as he pumped in three splendid goals. Each of his goals was a sheer thrill to watch.
The first one came as early as the 10th minute while the second and third showed his ability to skillfully dribble past Korean defenders.
A long pass from skipper Muhammad Irfan to Ajaz in the 25-yard mark saw him swiftly make his way into the circle, not being hassled about the two Korean defenders attempting to tackle him. He gave no room for error as he fiercely pushed one past goalkeeper Doopyo Hong to help Pakistan take a 3-1 lead.
Only four minutes earlier, Rashid Mehmood had scored a field goal to give Pakistan a 2-1 lead.
Ajaz's third goal came in the 36th minute when he single-handedly maneuvered covering the 25-yard and drove into the striking circle with impeccable control of the ball, stepped away from his man Mookyoung Lee to push one into the post. Though South Korea scored two goals via Suk Hoon Cho and Namyong Lee, it did little to dent Pakistan's hopes of a win.
The Koreans missed out on two back-to-back penalty corners in the final quarter but finally converted one with an improvised set piece that saw Inwoo Seo in the 55th minute to narrow the lead to 3-5.
But Muhammad Yaqoob scored in the 56th minute to ensure a convincing 6-3 win for Pakistan. - Agencies
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