Asian Champions Trophy Highlights- India defeated Malaysia 4-3 in a nerve-wrecking thriller to win their fourth Asian Champions Trophy title on Saturday, 12th August 2023. Trailing 1-3 after the first-half, India made a terrific comeback in the seven-goal thriller at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai.
Also Read: India vs Japan: India maul Japan 5-0, enter Hockey Asian Champions Trophy final
Taking their Asian Champions Trophy titles to a grand total of four, India becomes the most successful team in the history of the tournament.
Jugraj Singh (9′), Harmanpreet Singh (45′), Gurjant Singh (45′) and Akashdeep Singh (56′) scored in India’s victory. For Malaysia, Abu Kamal Azrai (14′), Razie Rahim (18′) and Aminudin Muhamad (28′) scored to keep them in title hunt.
Malaysia stunned India early on
There was plenty of action in the first quarter with both teams living up to the billing, producing thrilling hockey. India, who came into the Final after a convincing 5-0 win against Japan in the Semi Final, was quick to take a 1-0 lead. Jugraj Singh flicked at lightning speed to the left corner.
But a spirited Malaysian attack were quick to respond. Azuan Hasan tackled Indian defenders in the right flank to enter the circle. His attempt on goal needed a faint deflection by Abu Kamal Azrai to put it past the Indian goalie.
India made terrific comeback
With scores levelled, the second quarter was exhilarating. Malaysia shifted gears, to put India under the pump with as many as two goals in this quarter. Their second goal came off a PC in the 18th minute. It was a combined effort by trapper Shello Silverius and flicker Razie Rahim. The Malaysians stunned the local spectators with a third goal in the 28th minute. Muhamad Aminudin scored the goal from a fine PC.
Ahead by two goals at half-time, India was under pressure. They needed to pull off a miracle to bounce back. Though the Indian side began the quarter with a PC, a goal remained elusive until the 45th minute. On a counter attack, India’s forward Sukhjeet Singh is tripped in the circle – resulting in a penalty stroke for India. The Skipper made no mistake in converting it and closing the gap to 2-3. Only seconds later, much to the cheer of home crowd, India levelled the score to 3-3. It was Harmanpreet setting up Gurjant Singh who got a perfect tap into the goalpost.
It was a befitting Final, with the match going down to the wire – albeit with a lot of tense moments for the hockey fans. Though both teams created several chances in the last moments, it was India who held their nerves. The winning goal came from experienced Akashdeep Singh. Sukhjeet Singh who win the ball high on the pitch, played it to Mandeep Singh who in turn set up Akashdeep. His trademark big hit from the top of the circle in the 56th minute meant the team only had to defend the 4-3 lead for the next four minutes and they did just that.
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