India beat Malaysia 2-1 to win the third Asia Cup 2017 Finals in Hockey. Earlier, India thumped Pakistan 4-0 in their final second-round clash in Dhaka on Saturday. India was up on the scorecard in the first five minutes itself, thanks to a Ramandeep strike. Ramandeep found an open net to score. At the end of the first quarter, the score was 1-0. Malaysia’s best chance of the first quarter came when they got a penalty corner but could not convert. Akashdeep, as he has been good throughout the tournament, proved once again why is such an asset for this team. He created a penalty corner in the second quarter but could not convert.
India scored once again in the second half, Akashdeep passed the perfectly deflected ball to Sumit and Lalit tapped it in.
#ICYMI: @ramandeep_31‘s splendid finish to open the scoring in this grand finale!#INDvMAS #HeroAsiaCup pic.twitter.com/bKX54ZXRo4
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) October 22, 2017
What a GOAL!!!
HT! A fantastic 1st half for India as they have a two-goal cushion heading into the break.#HeroAsiaCup #INDvMAS pic.twitter.com/jIcsqBEqhG
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) October 22, 2017
India went into halftime in a very good state, they were leading with a tw0-goal cushion. The formation of the Indian’s was commendable and that is something that must have been spoken at halftime, not to break the formation, allowing penetrations. Malaysia tried their level best to show aggressive play in the third quarter, but the goal was not happening for them. India too created opportunities, but they looked more settled as a unit as they had a handsome lead and Malaysia had to make all the play. India missed a couple of opportunities as well in the third quarter where they had the chance of taking the game beyond Malaysia.
40′ __2_-0___
India with constant attacks into the Malaysian D to find the third goal..#HeroAsiaCup #INDvMAS
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) October 22, 2017
Malaysia got a penalty corner, early in the last quarter but they squandered it. India was happy to play possession hockey, which was advisable. In the dying moments of the last quarter, Malaysia got one back, the score became 2-1 with 8 minutes to go. It was a soft goal conceded.
50′ Goal!! __2_-1___
Malaysia back into the game with a FG from Shahril Saabah.#HeroAsiaCup #INDvMAS
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) October 22, 2017
It was a narrow escape for India as the Blues won its third Asia Cup title by beating Malaysia 2-1.
