Tue, Oct 05 10 10:56 PM
Saumojyoti S Choudhury New Delhi, Oct 5 (PTI) India had to play out of their skin as they came back from a goal down to edge past a spirited Malaysia 3-2 in a Pool A match of the men''s hockey event at the Commonwealth Games here today. Dhanjay Mahadik (27th minute) and Sandeep Singh (35) scored from two set pieces for India, while Bharat Chikkara (66) netted the winner just three minutes before the hooter. For Malaysia, Hanafi Hafifihafiz (15th) and Azlan Misron (34th) were the goal-getters. The match started at a slow pace with both the sides taking time to settle down but gathered pace as it progressed. From the onset, India played a very tactical game even though the defence looked a bit shaky initially. The Indians relied more on keeping the ball possession as their mid-field and forward line was in no hurry to score. Malaysia might be languishing at the 25th position in the world ranking but with their first half display they proved that they are no pushovers. The Malaysians threatened the Indian defence on more than one occasion, one of which resulted in the opening goal of the match. In the 15th minute, Hafifihafiz opened the scoring with a reverse hit after receiving a pass from Mohd Jalil Muhammad Marhan to bring the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium to a deafening silence. Stunned by the goal, India unleashed a series of attack on the Malaysian post but on all occasion the strikers lacked finishing. India earned their first penalty corner in the 22nd minute but wasted it as their variation did not work. Malaysia could have doubled their score if not for India goalkeeper Bharat Chetri, who saved the home team on two occasions in the opening half - first padding away Hanafi''s shot and then diving full length to his right to keep away Faizal Saari''s low drag-flick from Malaysia''s first short corner. India forced their way back into the match in the 27th minute when Mahadik scored from the host''s second penalty corner. But Malaysia restored their lead seven minutes later when Razie Muhammad Rahim found Azlan Misron unmarked inside the Dee with a beautiful diagonal pass and the Malaysian striker made no mistake in putting the ball in top half of the Indian net past Chetri. .
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