Virtually assured of a World Cup berth, India produced an inspiring performance, beating hosts Malaysia 2-0 to enter the final of the 9th Asia Cup men’s hockey tournament here on Friday.
The Koreans have already qualified for the World Cup. while India and Malaysia are all but though for the World Cup as first and second reserve countries.
There was good news in store for India prior to the start of their semi-final clash, as defending champions South Korea beat Pakistan 2-1 in a hard-fought first semi-final at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium.
Pakistan’s loss saw them crash out of World Cup contention paving the way for India and Malaysia, both of whom now have virtually qualified for next year’s event, the official confirmation of which will come only after the conclusion of the Oceania Cup in November.
It will also be the first time Pakistan will not feature in a World Cup since it started in Barcelona in 1971.
India began on a confident note and stunned the packed home crowd with an early goal.
Drag-flicker V.R. Raghunath took his goal tally to seven, when he converted India’s first penalty corner in the eighth minute.
However, it were the home team that enjoyed the early share of exchanges and had couple of scoring chances too. While on the first occasion Faizal Saari missed from close range, an unmarked Nabil Fiqri Mohd Noor shot wide a minute later with only Indian custodian P.R. Sreejesh to beat.
The Malaysians created scoring opportunities thoughout but Sreejesh came up with yet another good show.
Malaysia earned back-to-back penalty corners 10 minutes into the second half but a brilliant Sreejesh denied the hosts with fine saves.
The Indians doubled the lead in the 60th minute through young Mandeep Singh — his fifth goal of the tournament — slamming home a sharp cross from Ramandeep Singh.
India will play S. Korea in the summit clash on Sunday.