India vs Malaysia, Sultan Azlan Shah Cup: India lost 0-1 to Malaysia in pivotal game.

As India took on Malaysia in the final round robin game of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, things could not be more tantalisingly poised. Both Australia and Great Britain had 10 points each after five matches played. Australia with a goal difference of +7 while Britain were +3. India on the other hand are +2. The equation was simple, India need a win by two or more goals to seal passage in the final. However, Malaysia produced solid defensive play as India looked patchy and eventually lost 0-1 with a goal in the fourth quarter.

India vs Malaysia, Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Score and Updates:

1939 hrs IST: India lose 0-1 to Malaysia after a Shahril Saabah goal. India thus will not play in the gold medal match which will be contested between Australia and Britain. India to take on New Zealand for third-fourth place match.

1938 hrs IST: In the final second, India have a chance to equalise but the deflection is missed. Big chance but this hasn’t been a good effort from India.

1936 hrs IST: Nik Aiman gets a yellow card for Malaysia.

1935 hrs IST: Another chance. Fifth penalty corner for India. Chinglensana with the trap, Rupinder with the pass to Sardar Singh who can only hit the side netting. Chance goes begging. What a chance for India to level things!

1931 hrs IST: Seconds later, India win their fourth PC of the game. Need to convert this. Harmanpreet Singh lines up to take it but it is blocked by a Malaysia shirt. He is confident that it has hit the foot. But the call goes Malaysia’s way. Huge for Britain’s chances of qualifying for the final

1931 hrs IST: India get into Malaysia’s final third but unable to test the goalkeeper in the end.

1928 hrs IST: Equation simple for India. They need two goals to force a penalty shoot out with Britain. At the moment, though, India finding it tough to even get a shot on target

1922 hrs IST: Another PC for Malaysia, another chance to score. Malaysia so far on PC are 0/3. GOAL!! Malaysia break their run of no goals in over three hours with a blistering strike by Shahril Saabah

1918 hrs IST: Penalty corner for Malaysia is the appeal. Malaysian player looked confident asking for it to be reviewed. And it is a good call. Tried to pass it for a sliding player on goal but it goes wide 

1917 hrs IST: Manpreet Singh gets a green card. Akash Chikte back in goal

1915 hrs IST: India endured a few penalty corners in the third quarter but held firm. However, they’ve been unable to pile on any attack of their own. Stays 0-0 after three quarters of hockey

1910 hrs IST: Nervous moments approaching for India. Just 5 mins left in the third quarter and no shots on target

1900 hrs IST: But there is a stick shield and Malaysia win yet another penalty corner. Confirmed with a TV referral. This time it is blocked by Rupinder Pal Singh. Off the stick the referees believe

1858 hrs IST: Malaysia win a penalty corner early in the third quarter. Hits Sardar Singh’s foot. Deflected by an India defender and it is saved!

1856 hrs IST: India get the third quarter underway. Need two goals or three clear goals to seal final berth.

1844 hrs IST: The hooter goes and at the break it is deadlocked between India and Malaysia. Cagey and defensive work from both teams. Wouldn’t help India one bit

1838 hrs IST: Akashdeep Singh with good dribbling skills to skip past a Malaysia player and make his way into the area. But Malaysia have to many bodies in the box infringing. Rupinder Pal Singh blazes the penalty corner over. India are now 0/3 on PC’s in this game

1833 hrs IST: India seem to have won a penalty corner but Malaysia have it overturned after a TV referral.

1830 hrs IST: Malaysia with a good chance after penetrating inside the D but Indian defence holds firm to disallow any shot on target. Nervous scramble nevertheless

1825 hrs IST: India win their first penalty corner of the match. First penalty corner for either teams in fact. Rupinder Pal Singh goes for the direct hit into the goal but is denied by the keeper. Loses his glove in the process but does enough to parry the ball away

1824 hrs IST: Malaysia get the second quarter underway.

1822 hrs IST: At the end of the first quarter, India 0-0 Malaysia. No shots on target by either teams. India lackluster in their passing

1820 hrs IST: India not looking good so far. Not stringing together the passes and maintaining the agility to push Malaysia back. The hosts enjoying lots of support from a loud fan base

1817 hrs IST: Over 10 minutes played in this first half and no shots on target so far. Neither teams able to put together attacking outlet to bother the opposition

1813 hrs IST: Cagey stuff in the first quarter thus far. First penalty corner of the match goes to Malaysia. India choose to ask for a TV referral. Defensive free hit is the decision and India keep the referral.

1810 hrs IST: It has started to rain in Ipoh, Malaysia which would help move the ball around. Penalty corners from Rupinder Pal Singh would be a big asset for India

1805 hrs IST: Malaysia get the match underway.

1800 hrs IST: National Anthems time. India first followed by hosts Malaysia.

1745 hrs IST: TEAMS:

India: Akash Chikte, Harmanpreet Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Gurinder Singh, Manpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Harjeet Singh, Pardeep Mor, SV Sunil, Akashdeep Singh, Chinglensana Singh

Malaysia: Subramiam Kumar, Haziq Samsul, Marhan Jalil, Fitri Saari, Sukri Mutalib, Nabil Noor, Razie Rahim, Faiz Jali, Najmi Jazlan, Shahril Saabah

1745 hrs IST: All possible scenarios:

The team sheet the scenarios for the game that will decide India’s fate at #SultanAzlanShahCup. #INDvsMAL #hockey pic.twitter.com/hMJD5DO1CF

— Jaspreet Sahni (@JaspreetSSahni) 5 May 2017

1725 hrs IST: Results today: Great Britain 3-2 New Zealand and Japan with a superb 3-2 win over Australia

1720 hrs IST: Hello and welcome to our live coverage of India’s last and final group game at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and what an important game this is. India need a win – by 2-goals – to move into the final and set up the gold medal match with Australia who have ensured their berth despite loss earlier tonight.

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