India have set their sights on qualifying for final of the 25th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament when they take on hosts Malaysia in the final fixture of the preliminary round at the Azlan Shah Stadium.
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The defending champions were under the blowtorch in the 37C heat and had to win their final round-robin match on Wednesday, but other results must now go their way for them to make the final against Australia. India can still ensure a place in the final against Australia if they defeat hosts Malaysia in the last round-robin league match on Friday, while New Zealand will be anxiously waiting to see if they play for the gold medal or the bronze. They will face India in the last group stage match tomorrow before possibly facing India again on Sunday.
The tussle for the second spot in the league standings, which will earn a title encounter with Australia, is between India and defending champions New Zealand. India have nine points from five matches and their fate will rest on the show against Malaysia on Friday.
The Indian team was expected to play an aggressive game, especially after the 5-1 triumph over traditional rivals Pakistan. In case of a draw, both the teams will play each other in the third-fourth classification match. The midfielders from both sides dictated the play as the first quarter didn’t witness any clear-cut chances.
The teams stepped up their game in the second quarter and India got a chance in the form of a penalty corner in the 21st minute.
But the Black Sticks fought back and took the lead once more in the 41st minute when a loose ball fell for Wilson who smashed the ball home from close range. New Zealand goalkeeper Devon Manchester parried the flick from Rupinder Pal Singh that came to him at his shoulder height. His low drag flick got deflected into off defender Manpreet Singh’s stick into the goal. Four of the five goals against Pakistan came from the field and just one came from a penalty corner- sign of improved finishing.India’s victory would have been bigger had Rupinder converted a penalty stroke in the 55th minute and an deflection into the net by Ramandeep Singh in the 69th was not disallowed after the umpire initially blew for a goal.
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Ultimately, India failed to find their equaliser as the New Zealand defence stood tall for the match to end 2-1 in favour of the Blacksticks.
