India Cruise Past Malaysia 4-1 To Edge Closer To Asia Cup Final

Last Updated:September 04, 2025, 21:45 IST

India defeated Malaysia 4-1 in the men's Asia Cup hockey Super 4s, with goals from Manpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Shilanand Lakra and Vivek Sagar Prasad.

India beat Malaysia 4-1 (Picture credit: Hockey India)

A determined India showed a masterclass performance, coming from a goal down to beat Malaysia 4-1 in their second Super 4s game of the men’s Asia Cup hockey tournament on Thursday.

The Indians were slow to start as Shafiq Hassan gave Malaysia the lead in the second minute, but the hosts mounted a great fightback.

Manpreet Singh (17th), Sukhjeet Singh (19th), Shilanand Lakra (24th), and Vivek Sagar Prasad (38th) scored for India.

India had drawn 2-2 against Korea in their first Super 4 match on Wednesday.

With the victory over Malaysia, India moved to the top of the Super 4 standings with four points from two matches, just ahead of China and Malaysia, both of whom have three points each, while defending champions Korea occupy the last spot with just one point.

After a rest day on Friday, India will take on China in their final Super 4 game on Saturday, September 6, while Malaysia will play Korea. India just need a draw against China to bag their place in Sunday’s final.

Malaysia were two players short on Thursday after playmaker Fitri Saari was suspended for the match due to indiscipline following his on-field brawl with Chinese players in their last match. Abu Kamal Azrai also did not play against India.

Contrary to the final result, India was stunned in the second minute as Malaysia took the lead through Hassan. The Malaysians caught the Indian defence napping as Hassan dodged past Sanjay and Jugraj Singh to score with his reverse stick.

The Indian defence looked a bit shaky in the first quarter, but did well not to concede any more goals. Barring that early strike, India dominated the proceedings in the first quarter in terms of ball possession and opportunities.

India continued their attacking game and secured five consecutive penalty corners in the opening minute of the second quarter, the last of which they converted by Manpreet, who scored from a rebound after skipper Harmanpreet Singh’s flick was saved by Hafizuddin Othman.

The equaliser seemed to have lifted the Indians as they attacked with more intensity and two minutes later their efforts bore fruit. Sukhjeet pushed home from close range after receiving a clever pass from Shilanand.

The lead gave wings to the Indians as they looked like a different entity, mounting attack after attack on the Malaysian citadel. India soon made the scoreline 3-1 through Shilanand.

The move was begun by Hardik Singh, who found Dilpreet Singh, whose defence-splitting pass was deflected in by Shilanand past the onrushing Malaysian goalkeeper.

That was all both teams could manage in the first half as India went into the breather leading 3-1.

Two minutes into the second half, Malaysia bagged their first penalty corner, but India’s custodian Krishan Bahadur made a brilliant save with his stick to deny Syed Cholan.

In the 38th minute, India earned their sixth penalty corner and Jugraj’s powerful flick hit the post. The ball was then collected by Sumit, who passed it on to Manpreet, whose pass from the right was pushed in by Vivek.

In the final quarter, India made several circle penetrations and created chances but failed to convert them into goals.

(With PTI Inputs)

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