Malaysia hold India to 3-3 draw - Asia Cup Hockey 2022

India almost clinched the title round berth before Razie Rahim turned out to be Malaysia’s saviour with a hat-trick in an enthralling 3-3 draw in a ‘Super 4’ encounter of Asia Cup hockey tournament on Sunday.

Rahim (12th, 21st, 56th minutes) converted three penalty corners for Malaysia, while India made a valiant fightback after being two goals down, scoring through Vishnukant Singh (32nd), SV Sunil (53rd) and Nilam Sanjeep Xess (55th). India had earlier defeated Japan 2-1 in their first match on Saturday.

Meanwhile in the other Super 4 league match, South Korea defeated Japan 3-1 to move to four points. South Korea had earlier drawn 2-2 against Malaysia in their first match. As the Super 4’s table stands, South Korea with a goal difference of +2 (5-3) are on top of the table with India (GD) +1 (5-4) are placed second.

Japan with two defeats have no chance of making it to the final while Malaysia (GD) 0 (5-5) have an outside chance if they can beat Japan by a comprehensive margin (minimum 2 goals) provided India and South Korea match ends in a draw.

The Indians upped their game in the second quarter and created a few chances but that didn’t result in a goal.

Malaysia, on the other hand, secured another penalty corner in the 21st minute and once again Rahim was bang on target as India conceded second goal of the match.

India drew level in the 53rd minute, courtesy Pawan Rajbhar’s pivotal presence in the mid-field, where he snatched the ball from an opposition player and then selflessly set it up for Sunil, who scored with a fierce shot from an acute angle.

Two minutes later, India took the lead for the first time in the match when Nilam Sanjeep converted a penalty corner. But India’s joy was shortlived as Malaysia drew level a minute later, courtesy Rahim’s well deserved hat-trick.