India scripts stunning comeback against Malaysia, wins Asian Champions Trophy

Chennai: Egged by the 9,000-odd supporters and chants of ‘India, India’, the Indian men's hockey team came back from two goals deficit to defeat Malaysia 4-3 and win the Asian Champions Trophy 2023 in Chennai on Saturday.

It looked like the script for a perfect thriller as the match flowed through ebbs and flows till it reached the ultimate climax. India took the lead, Malaysia equalized, India came back and then won the title.

The match started with the Malaysian team displaying superior speed on the flanks and attacking in the very first minute, taking India by surprise. The visitors entered the circle three times as the hosts looked rattled.

It took India seven minutes to find their rhythm when an aerial ball was trapped by Jarmanpreet Singh but his move is intercepted.

Seconds later, Karthi Selvam was stopped in his tracks and India won their first penalty corner. Jugraj Singh stepped up in the absence of the skipper and scored the first goal for India, much to the delight of home fans.

India continued their attack with two moves from the right flank but the Malaysian defence stood strong.

In the 14th minute, Malaysia equalized against the run of the play as Abu Azrai pounced on a loose ball in the Indian circle and scooped it past Krishan Pathak to make it 1-1.

After a thrilling first quarter, Malaysia stepped on the pedestal in the second quarter and earned their first penalty corner in the 17th minute.

Razie Rahim expertly slotted his drag flick in the top of the net to silence the home crowd and give Malaysia a 2-1 lead.

India attacked relentlessly after going behind but the Malaysian defence stood strong. Vivek Sagar Prasad saw his powerful shot saved in the 21st minute and seconds later, Mandeep hit his reverse shot wide.

The stadium fell silent completely in the 28th minute when Muhammad Aminudin converted another penalty corner and gave Malaysia a two-goal cushion at 3-1.

Everyone might have written the hosts off but it would be a great disrespect to write off one of the fittest teams in the world. India regrouped at halt time and came out with a clear strategy to attack in the second half.

India started the third quarter after winning a penalty corner in 33rd minute but Harmanpreet’s drag flick was deflected wide.

The crowd got back to their voice as the local boy Karthi Selvam won another penalty corner in 36th minute but Jugraj Singh flicked it wide.

As the clock ticked, India’s desperation for a goal grew. In the 40th minute, Akashdeep’s strike hit the back of the net but the umpire ruled it out for an infringement.

As the crowd and the team both grew desperate, Nilakanta Sharma started a move from the midfield, which was expertly passed to Sukhjeet, who tripped inside the circle and India were awarded a penalty stroke.

Skipper Harmanpreet didn't disappoint the crowd as he converted the stroke to make it 2-3, raising hopes of a comeback.

As the clock trickled towards the last quarter, Gurjant Singh converted from close range to make it 3-3 and send the crowd into ruptures.

With just 15 minutes to play, India came determined in the final quarter with Malaysia looking rattled by those quick goals in the third quarter.

With 10 minutes on the clock, both teams started looking for the winner with the Indian team dominated the possession and attacks.

The magical moment came in the 56th minute when Akashdeep Singh chose the most audacious shot, a tomahawk, to score the winner and sent the crowd into frenzy.

The Indian team held their nerves and their slender lead in the last few moments to gift the packed Chennai crowd a perfect gift on the return of hockey after 16 years.

With this title win, India went past Pakistan to become the most successful team in the tournament history, with four titles.