India beats Malaysia, faces Pakistan in Men's Junior Asia Cup final

Defending champions India defeated Malaysia 3-1 on Tuesday to enter the final of the continental tournament on their way to a hat-trick of Men's Junior Asia Cup hockey titles. India, so far undefeated in the tournament, confirmed its place in the final with goals from Dilraj Singh (10th minute), Rohit (45th) and Sharda Nand Tiwari (52nd minute). The only goal for Malaysia was scored by Azimuddin Kamaruddin on a penalty stroke in the 57th minute. India will face arch-rivals Pakistan in a blockbuster final on Wednesday. In the first semi-final, Pakistan defeated Japan 4-2. India may have taken the lead in the first quarter but the performance of the title holders was disappointing.

Malaysia were the early aggressors and had the better chances, including two penalty corners, which the Indians defended well.

Malaysia got their first penalty corner of the match in the third minute but the Indians defended well.

Three minutes later, Malaysia got a second penalty corner which was stopped by Indian goalkeeper Bikramjit Singh and then by Ankit Pal.

However, the Indians took the lead in the 10th minute through Dilraj, who hit the board after receiving a tricky pass from Arjit Singh Hundal.

The Indians made a positive start to the second quarter and earned their first penalty corner in the 17th minute but failed to penetrate the Malaysian defence.

After this, once again the Indians performed brilliantly and Malaysia got two more penalty corners but failed to overcome the Indian defence.

Three minutes after the change of ends, the Indians attacked and came dangerously close to goal, but the Malaysian goalkeeper made a brilliant save.

In the 37th minute, Malaysia got a penalty corner but the effort hit the side bar.

India earned their second penalty corner 32 seconds before the end of the third quarter and Rohit stepped up to score with a precise drag-flick to the left of the Malaysian goalkeeper.

India earned their third set-piece in the 48th minute but missed the chance.

A few minutes later, India got back-to-back penalty corners, the second of which was converted by Sharda Nand with a reverse shot from the rebound after the initial flick was saved by the Malaysian goalkeeper.

The Malaysians fought till the end and earned consecutive penalty corners in the 57th minute which resulted in a penalty stroke due to an error by an Indian defender and Kamaruddin made no mistake to reduce the gap.

But it was too late for Malaysia.

Two minutes before the final hooter, India got their fifth penalty corner but missed the attempt.