sultan-azlan-shah-cup-2019-malaysia-india-updates-results-match-9

What a brilliant game we had here in Ipoh. India maintained the dominance in the entire game and eventually India managed to win the game by a good two-goal margin. It all started in the second quarter when Sumit Kumar found the back of the net to give the Indians a lead in the match. After Malaysia equalised after that, Sumit scored his second and India went into the halftime break with a 2-1 lead.

Malaysia came with an attacking mindset in the second one but that was not enough as the Indians scored one right after Malaysia's goal which led to the two-goal win for the Men in Blue.

Birendra Lakra was awarded the Man of the Match for his brilliant show in the defence today.

India will meet Canada in their next game of the tournament. Do join us for all the action tomorrow at 15:35 IST for all the action. Till then, it's GOOD BYE and GOOD NIGHT...

It's the fulltime hooter and India have won. Their second win in the tournament here. 

CORRECTION - FIRHAN ASHARI SCORED THE SECOND GOAL FOR MALAYSIA

This has turned into quite a contest now and India should thank their stars that Mandeep was able to score so quickly. That was just a goal that Malaysia needed to set up a grand stand finish.

GOAL FOR INDIA!!! MANDEEP SCORES!!!

Mandeep comes up with his first in the game as India score just after Malaysia reduced the margin. Goals exchanged in a matter of a minute. This is brilliant by India here...

GOAL FOR MALAYSIA!!!

Malaysia have scored again. Umpire asks for a video referral here. And Malaysia have got it in their favour. Tengku Ahmed the scorer with four minutes to go in the game. 

Last five minutes of the game and this is where India needs to be very careful to ensure that they don't concede a couple of goals. Remember, this has been a perennial problem for the Indians in hockey. They have to hold on to the lead at the moment.

SREEJESH PULLS OFF A SENSATIONAL SAVE!!!

Seven minutes still to go in the game and Sreejesh has done a brilliant job here to keep India ahead by two goals in the encounter. 

Malaysia want a PC and go upstairs. The decision goes against them. REVIEW LOST!!!

Eight minutes to go in the game and India save another Malaysian attack. There was an opportunity after the hosts had a corner in their favour. 

As Malaysia mess it up inside the D, India go on a counter here. They get a corner but nothing materialises for the Men in Blue after that.

An early attack at the beginning of the final quarter as they enter the striking circle here. Can they create a chance??? They desperately need a goal at the moment. 

That's the start of the fourth and final quarter here. Nine PCs each for both the teams and they have converted only one each so far.

End of quarter three and India continues to dominate. What a game for the Men in Blue today.

INDIA FAILS TO CONVERT AGAIN!!!

Varun Kumar's flick hits the post as India miss to score again on another PC.

India gets a PC right before the end of the penultimate quarter.

AND, THE STORY CONTINUES FOR THEM!!! MALAYSIA FAIL TO STOP IT PROPERLY!!! WHAT A WASTE OF A CHANCE!!!

Malaysia have asked for a video referral in the 43rd minute...

It goes in their favour... THEY GET A PC!!!

Good turn out in the stands today with a lot of home supporters hoping for a win against the Asian giants - India but things have not gone in Malaysia's favour in the match. India is still leading by two goals and attacking in numbers giving the hosts no chance to draw levels in the game.

India wants a PC after the circle entry. Have gone upstairs for the TV umpire.

It goes in-vain!!! REVIEW LOST!!! Malaysia gets a free hit...

The number of circle penetrations have increased in this game as compared to the first two and that shows how they have dominated the game against the hosts today. Malaysia have got their chances but as far as the PC conversion is concerned, both teams stand at the same level. That has been poor.

Malaysia fail to score here and they are under tremendous pressure at the moment. Around 22 minutes to go in the match. They have to reduce the deficit now only..

It's raining penalty corners at the moment here in Ipoh. Malaysia gets another one and we are failing to keep a count. Can they decrease the margin here??? 

GOAL FOR INDIA!!!  VARUN KUMAR SCORES!!!

Yes, they have scored this time. Varun does well to flick the ball past the Hairi Rahman in the 36th minute as India takes a two-goal lead in the match. Amazing performance by the Indians as they continue playing attacking hockey b against the hosts today.

A follow on PC for the Indians here. Seventh in the game out of which they haven't converted a single one. Can India score this time???

After an attack by India where Sumit Kumar's powerful shot was saved by the Malaysian goalie, India have been awarded a PC here.

The hosts have played mostly on the counter attacks and now Oltmans would want his boys to come stronger at the Indians after the change in sides.

Start of the third quarter now. Here we go!!! India leading by one goal at the moment. Malaysia will have to pull their socks now. 

HT: 🇲🇾 1-2 🇮🇳

A thriller of a first half comes to an end with India having a lead courtesy Sumit Kumar's 27th-minute goal. Will they hold on to the lead till the end?#IndiaKaGame #SultanAzlanShahCup2019 pic.twitter.com/NQnfNP2Zbr

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) March 26, 2019

An entertaining and exciting game so far with both the sides trying their best to score goals in the match. India took an early lead in the second quarter after the goaless first quarter through Sumit. While wasted opportunities to convert the penalty corners. 

On the other hand, Malaysia, through Razie Rahim, did well to score off the penalty corner in the 24th minute to level the score. Sumit again proved to be the important man for India as he tapped the ball into the goal with three minutes to go before the halftime.

Malaysia, who lost a scoring opportunity in the last minute, will want to get back into the game. Can the hosts manage to do so in the next 30 minutes of play remaining??? We will find that out in a bit... STAY TUNED!!!

Malaysia gets a PC here... However, they fail to trap the ball properly. PC lost in the last minute of the second quarter for the hosts. It's halftime....

GOAL FOR INDIA!!! SUMIT KUMAR MAKES IT 2-1 !!!

Manpreet Singh gives a through ball to Mandeep who eventually finds Sumit Kumar inside the striking circle and Sumit Kumar ensures that he scores his second of the evening. India back in the lead now in the 27th minute of the match!!!

India go on an attack now with Mandeep keeping possession on the ball at the moment. He takes a weak shot and Hairi Rahman, the Malaysian goalie makes no mistake in stopping the ball and denying the lead for India. Last few minutes of the quarter...

Sumantri tries to take a shot but he slips. That could have been an easy shot at the target but Malaysia fails to take the lead here after an excellent attack there.

MALAYSIA GET THE EQUALISER!!!

Razie Rahim makes no mistake this time to get past Sreejesh and the Indian rushers. Brilliantly executed!!!

After India saved on the first two occasions, Malaysia have levelled the score by converting the third one. Sreejesh had no answer to that and the hosts are back in the game now.

India does well to clear the ball. Ohh wait, looks like they have got another PC here. Second consecutive one for Malaysia, third in the game.

Now, Malaysia go on an attack. They entered the D but Surender does well to block the players at the moment. However, the hosts have got a PC.

Their second in the match. Can they score???

Five back-to-back PCs for the visitors but India failed to convert any one of them. Are they missing Harmanpreet Singh in this tournament???

Fourth PC in succession for India now. Can they make it 2-0???

India gets another PC as Amit Rohidas fails to get past the defence on the first occasion. 

Soon after the lead, India has been awarded a PC

GOAL FOR INDIA BY SUMIT KUMAR!!!

Sumit Kumar gets a deflected ball from Hardik and makes no mistake in tapping the ball past the Malaysian goalie. Lead for India in the 17th minute of the match. 

India have changed their goalie as PR Sreejesh comes on to the turf to replace Krishan Bahadur Pathak. The second quarter starts now...

END OF Q-1

That's a goalless end to the first quarter of the match as both the teams try hard to score goals. An attacking first 15 minutes of hockey has come to an end here in Ipoh.

Gursahibjit Singh comes up with a brilliant interception after the free-hit to gain control over the ball. Last few moments of the quarter. 

The hosts have been awarded a free-hit now. It's from a dangerous position. Can they capitalise on this to get a good start in the first quarter???

Malaysia has looked really good on counter-attacks and India needs to be careful during those.

Amit Rohidas does a brilliant job here as his lovely long pass from the defensive position finds Sumit who eventually failed to trap the ball.

EXCELLENT START FOR PATHAK!!! PC SAVED!!!

Brilliant save by the Indian custodian early in the match as he does well to stop the flick off the first PC that the hosts were awarded.

Malaysia on a counter-attack at the moment. They have entered the circle and are asking for a video referral now. Will they get a PC???

REVIEW SUCCESSFUL!!! FIRST PC FOR MALAYSIA!!!

Skipper Manpreet Singh wins the ball back for the visitors after the Malaysian players held on to the ball after the initial attempt by India inside the circle.

Good attack by the Indians early in the match as they keep possession on the ball and enter the striking circle. But, fail to create a chance or a PC. It was Simranjeet Singh who lost the control over the ball at the crucial juncture.

UPDATE - India have started with young Krishan Bahadur Pathak in the goal in place of senior pro PR Sreejesh

Hold on to your 💺 - it's PUSHBACK time! 🏑#IndiaKaGame #SultanAzlanShahCup2019 pic.twitter.com/VyArbSWOIO

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) March 26, 2019

PUSHBACK

Here is the start to the most awaited game of the tournament as the hosts take on the Men in Blue. Can the Indians better their last performances here in Ipoh, that is the big question at the moment.

Malaysia v India to get underway soon. pic.twitter.com/ZQqK9c2Ikw

— Azlan Shah Cup (@azlancup) March 26, 2019

The boys are here. India Vs Mas. #azlanshah2019 pic.twitter.com/HFrn5GMKzU

— Sundeep Misra (@MisraSundeep) March 26, 2019

The players of both the teams are out in the middle at the moment. India has put up contrasting performances in the first two games with two different results. It remains to be seen how they play out against an in-form Malaysian side playing at home.

Match to get underway in minutes from now... STAY WITH US...

Take a good look 👀 at Team India's Starting XI for their 3rd match of @azlancup against Malaysia on 26th March.#IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/vse7NfAfMI

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) March 26, 2019

Hello and Welcome to the live coverage of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup game between hosts Malaysia and India coming to you from the Stadium Azlan Shah in Ipoh, Malaysia. This is Chiranjibi Pati and I will bring you all the action from the venue with India trying to get a win against the hosts which is not gonna be that easy.

Starting XI coming up...

After winning their games against Japan and drawing against Korea, the Indian men’s hockey team will take on hosts Malaysia in their third game of the ongoing Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament in Ipoh. Malaysia had earlier defeated Poland and Japan in the ongoing event.

This might be the most important game of the tournament as the Indian team will take on the hosts and both team are evenly-placed as far as their reputation is concerned considering Malaysia’s recent performance and India’s team without the senior players. Malaysia under the guidance of Roelant Oltmans have developed a lot and this is quite evident in the recent performance of the team. They dominated in the first two games against Poland and Japan by winning those by 5-1 and 4-3 goals respectively.

On the other hand, the Indian team, which has travelled to Ipoh without a coach, didn’t put up a great show against Japan in the first game but somehow managed to win the game against the Asian Games gold medallists. However, the Indian team was up to the show against the Koreans but that was not enough to win the match as the Koreans managed to level the game with a goal in the final minute. The Indians will have their task cut out to win against Malaysia as now it will not be that easy for the Manpreet Singh-led side to qualify for the finals by finishing at the top of the table.