Malaysia pips India 4-3 to reach finals
GUANGZHOU: A shocking defensive lapse in the dying minutes of regulation time resulted in a heartbreaking loss for India as Malaysia went on to snatch a golden goal here Tuesday and set up a meeting with Pakistan in the men's hockey final of the Asian Games.
Muhamad Amin Rahim was the star for Malaysia, first finding an equaliser by converting a penalty corner to level the scores 3-3 three minutes from the final hooter and then slotting the golden goal, again through a penalty corner in the fifth minute of extra time.
Malaysia's first entry to the Asian Games final was marked by their tenacity as they came from behind twice to equalise. The win sparked jubilation in the Malaysian camp while the Indians cut a sorry figure, ruing their complacency in the final minutes.
Malaysia scored the first goal, through Abdul Jalil Tengku (32nd minute).
Indian drag-flicker Sandeep Singh, who has been in terrific form in the tournament, scored his 11th goal to equalise in the 35th minute.
India then took the lead through Tushar Khandekar within two minutes into the second half (37th). Malaysian Azlan Misron, however, pulled one back (49th) through a good penalty corner variation, but captain Rajpal Singh put India ahead by sneaking in the ball after Dhananjay Mahadik's penalty corner strike was saved brilliantly by Malaysian goalkeeper Kumar Subramiam, who was outstanding under the bar.
Rahim (67th, 75th) then showed his brilliance to pull the game away from India's clutches.
Malaysia thus avenged the 3-2 defeat against India at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi last month. It was also their first victory against India in 11 matches in Asian Games.
Malaysia will now fight for the gold and an Olympic berth with Pakistan, who upset defending champion South Korea in a tense penalty shootout (3-4). The two teams were tied 1-1 in regulation time.
Pakistan's Waqas Muhammad scored the goal in the 22nd minute, before South Korea responded through Kang Moon-Kyu four minutes into the second half.
The drama intensified as the two teams were deadlocked 3-3 after first five penalty shots and the sudden death rule was applied.
Pakistan ace Sohail Abbas's and Jang Jong-hyun's shots were saved, before Haseem Khan sent the ball past Myungho Lee to put Pakistan ahead 4-3.
Jang Jong-ho took the next shot but his strike was saved by goalkeeper Salman Akbar, and celebrations broke in Pakistani camp.
Pakistan will feature in their first final since they won the last of their seven Asiad titles in Beijing in 1990. All their seven titles came at the expense of India in the final.
