Harmanpreet Singh scored a hat-trick, two from penalty corners and one from a penalty stroke, as India beat Malaysia 4-2 in Jalandhar. Sukhjeet Singh also scored, and India’s fourth straight win at the Asian Champions Trophy keeps them top of the table.
Jalandhar, India: India captain Harmanpreet Singh scored three times at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium on Sunday as India beat Malaysia 4-2 to stay perfect at the Asian Champions Trophy. Malaysia scored the last goal of the match, but by then the result was settled.
Harmanpreet strikes early
India led in the third minute when Harmanpreet scored from a penalty corner. Malaysia levelled in the 25th minute through Akhimullah Anuar, who finished from close range, and the match was suddenly an even contest.
India take control
The captain restored the lead in the 33rd minute, again from a penalty corner, shortly after the break. Sukhjeet Singh then made it 3-1 in the 43rd minute with a field goal, a strike that pushed India clear.
A hat-trick from the spot
Harmanpreet completed his hat-trick in the 58th minute by converting a penalty stroke for 4-1. Malaysia had the final word when Shello Silverius scored in the 60th minute with a field strike, but there was no time left for a comeback.
Table and what comes next
The win was India’s fourth in four matches, following a 13-0 win over Bangladesh, a 5-2 win over China and a 4-1 win over Japan. India lead the table on 12 points. Malaysia are second on nine, and India, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea have all secured semi-final places. India face South Korea in their final round-robin match on Monday.
Result: India 4 (Harmanpreet Singh 3′, 33′ pc, 58′ ps; Sukhjeet Singh 43′) beat Malaysia 2 (Akhimullah Anuar 25′; Shello Silverius 60′).
