Asian Champions Trophy: India pummel a hapless Malaysia

Defending champions India put eight goals past a hapless Malaysia in their third outing at the Asian Champions Trophy in Moqi, China on Wednesday.

With this victory, India continues to stay at the top of the table having won all of their three matches thus far.

Off to a flyer

India came out firing on all cylinders and scored in the very third minute when Raj Kumar Pal executed a deft scoop to find the top of the next. Araijeet Singh Hundal then got in on the act and scored in the sixth minute.

Malaysia barely had any time to get their act together when Jugraj Singh found the back of the next via a drag flick through a penalty corner in the very next minute. With this opening salvo, India were three-nothing up in just seven minutes.

In the second quarter, Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh made his presence felt on the turf with a trademark drag flick goal via a penalty corner in the 22nd minute. Just three minutes later, Raj Kumar Pal was in the thick of things yet again picking the ball up off a rebound from the keeper and sliding the ball through the legs of the Malaysian custodian in the 25th minute.

At the halfway mark, India were up five-nothing.

In the second half, Malaysia began making multiple offensive moves. With constant possession, they repeatedly found their way to the Indian box only to be met with a resolute Indian defence.

In the 34th minute, Raj Kumar Pal scored for the third time in what was his first international hattrick. Malaysia did respond in the 33rd minute with a goal from Akhimullah Anuar who picked up an aerial ball in the Indian box and employed a clever scoop to score.

India, however, hit right back when Araijeet Singh Hundal picked up a pass from the left flank and calmly flicked the ball below the diving Malaysian custodiam to score India’s seventh goal in the 39th minute.

Hundal, the player of the match

In the final quarter, Malaysia, desperate to get a goal, made numerous offensive moves.

But it was India that scored their eight goal via a penalty corner when some good stick work kept the ball in play after the Malaysian keeper effected a save. A quick pass in the box found Uttam Singh who made no mistake to score in the 40th minute.

India has so far dominated the field in the competition and look favourites to go the distance at the moment after this ominous performance against Malaysia.

Araijeet Singh Hundal was adjudged the player of the match and speaking to the broadcaster after the game, he did not hold back the intent of the squad for the rest of the tournament.

"Its really good for us. We're here to win. I liked the first goal that I score. I'm getting my confidence back so I will do better in the days to come".