Hockey World League Semi-Final: Malaysia end India's campaign

London: Fancied India crashed out of the Hockey World League Semi-Final, suffering a shocking 2-3 defeat at the hands of Malaysia in their quarter-final here on Thursday.

It was a hard-fought encounter as both teams played with great intensity. The Indians only had themselves to blame as a below-par opening 20 minutes and some sloppy defence ruined their hopes.

India conceded as many as seven penalty corners, three of which were converted by Malaysia through Razie Rahim (19th, 48th minutes) and Tengku Tajuddin.

India’s goals came from Ramandeep Singh (24th, 26th).

Malaysia thus qualify for next year’s World Cup to be held in India.

For India, it is their second defeat against Malaysia in little less than two months, having lost 0-1 to them at the Azlan Shah Cup last month.

In the semi-finals, Malaysia face reigning Olympic champions Argentina who defeated Pakistan 3-1 in the earlier quarter-final. Strikes from Maico Casella (22nd, 44th) and Gonzalo Peillat (33rd) handed Argentina a 3-0 lead before Pakistan scored through Shan Ali in the 49th.

Ranked sixth in the world, India started as overwhelming favourites against 14th placed Malaysia but the script did not turn out as expected, looking slow and scrappy in the early minutes.

Malaysia, on the other hand, were compact in defence and also troubled India’s backline. The first quarter ended goalless with Malaysia controlling the proceedings.

Malaysia continued their attacking game and got a great opportunity to break the deadlock in the 17h minute when a scoop from the deep found Nabil Noor alone inside the Indian circle but alert goalkeeper Vikas Dahiya came off his line to deny Noor.

Two minutes later, Malaysia earned another penalty corner but this time Dahiya failed to keep Razie Rahim’s flick out. A minute later, Malaysia doubled their lead as Tengku neatly deflected in from their fourth penalty corner.

Down by two goals, Ramandeep scored from India’s first shot at goal, deflecting in Sumit’s defence splitting cross from the right flank.

Two minutes later, he once again found himself at the right place and scored the equaliser after skipper Manpreet Singh messed up a variation effort from India’s first penalty corner.

After the change of ends, India continued to dominate and earned two penalty corners in quick succession but Harmanpreet Singh failed to deliver.

As India took the attack route, Malaysia preferred rely on counter-attacks.

Malaysia’s ploy worked and they secured two more penalty corners in the 48th minute, the second of which was converted by Razie Rahim for his second goal of the day.