India sets up summit clash with Malaysia in Hero Asian Champions Trophy

India has set up a summit clash with Malaysia in the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament. India defeated Asian Games champions Japan 5-0 in the second semi-final after Malaysia had upset the applecart of the defending champions Korea 6-2 in the first semi-final.

Earlier in the group matches, Japan had held India to a 1-1 draw.

Incidentally, India had beaten Malaysia 5-0 in the group matches. Malaysia, on the other hand, toppled former Olympic and World Cup champions Pakistan and Korea 1-0 in the group matches.

After a barren first quarter, India took the lead in the 19^th minute through a superb field goal by Akashdeep Singh. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who missed the first penalty corner in the second minute of the game, however, made amends with the second in the 23^rd minute with an immaculate drag flick.

Just before the teams could break for halftime, mercurial Mandeep Singh surprised the Japanese defence with a brilliant field goal to make the score 3-0. After the change of ends, it was Sumit who hoisted India’s fourth goal with a brilliant move that caught the Japanese defence on the wrong foot.

Local boy Selvam Karthi was again on the score sheet when he scored the home team’s fifth goal in the 51^st minute to complete the tally.

The gold medal match between India and Malaysia will be played on Saturday (tomorrow).

Earlier, Pakistan routed China 6-1 to take the fifth spot.  Ammad Muhammad (10^th and 52^nd minutes), Khan Muhammad (11^th and 12^th minutes), Shahid Abdul (15^th minute) and Rana Abdul (55^th minute) were scorers for Pakistan while Chen Benhai (35^th minute) reduced the margin for China.

In what was expected to be a close and tough match, Malaysia made it one-sided by handing down a 6-2 beating to defending champions Korea in the first semi-final.

 Azrai Abul Kamal (3^rd minute), Jazlan Najmi (9^th and 21^st minute), Saari Faizal (19^th minute) and Silverius Shello (47^th and 48^th minute) were the scorers for Malaysia. For Korea, the goal scorers were Ji Wao Cheon (2^nd minute) and Jang Jonghyun (14th minute).

Now Korea will play Japan for the bronze medal.