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Ace drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh continued to stamp his authority in the ongoing 4th Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament as he converted two penalty corners to clinch India a 2-1 victory over hosts Malaysia in Kauntan, Malaysia on Wednesday.
Opening the scoring in the 12th minute, Rupinder saw Malaysia equalise through Razie Rahim's drag flick in the 18th minute, but got into the goal-scoring act again two minutes from the end to clinch India a win in the crucial outing and top the league standings.
India survived some anxious moments as hosts Malaysia posed a serious challenge and had their citadel under pressure in the second half and even got a penalty corner in the dying seconds, but the defenders held their ground.
Rounding off their five outings with four wins and a draw, India topped the round-robin league standings with 13 points and now await the results of the last couple of games on Thursday to find out who they play in semi-final.
Malaysia, with nine points from four matches, take on South Korea on Thursday, while defending champions Pakistan play China.
Indian captain PR Sreejesh was rested for another game to help recovery from his foot injury, giving the chance to reserve goalkeeper Akash Chikte to play this important match. Chikte justified the faith reposed in him and brought off some fine saves.
Starting with a couple of brisk raids, India forced their first penalty corner in the third minute, but Rupinder's rising drag-flick was deflected out by a defender's stick. Ace Malaysian striker Faizal Saari had a view of the Indian goal in the sixth minute, but shot wide trying to find an angle past the goalkeeper and under pressure of time from the Indian defenders.
Rupinder put India into the lead in the 12th minute off their second penalty corner, when he slammed the rebound into the net from close range.
Nikkin Thmmaiah could have stretched India’s lead two minutes later, but his deflected was saved by custodian Kumar Subramaniam, who played a fine game for Malaysia under the bar by effecting numerous saves.
India had another chance to score in the 17th minute when Akashdeep Singh drew the goalkeeper out and squared the ball to Yusuf Affan, who had an open goal in front but could execute a snap shot. Affan took a short while to seize control of the ball and then shot high over the crossbar.
Malaysia's efforts as quick counter-attacks earned them the first penalty corner in the 18th minute and Razie Rahim produced the equaliser with a stinging shot that went shoulder high into the net.
Image: India's Rupinder Pal Singh celebrates a goal
Photograph: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images