Malaysia lose 4-2 to India in Asian Champions Trophy
Harmanpreet Singh scored three goals as Malaysia suffered their first defeat in four matches, with a semi-final place already secured.
Malaysia suffered their first loss in four Asian Champions Trophy matches as defending champions India won 4-2 in Jalandhar, Punjab. The Malaysians have qualified for the semi-finals and next face Japan in their final round-robin fixture.
India captain Harmanpreet Singh scored three times at Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium. He opened the scoring from a third-minute penalty corner before Akhimullah Anuar Esook brought Malaysia level with a close-range finish in the 25th minute.
A second penalty-corner goal from Harmanpreet restored India's advantage in the 33rd minute. Malaysia were reduced to 10 players in the 38th minute when defender Faiz Helmi Jali received a yellow card for an infringement, and Sukhjeet Singh extended India's lead in the 43rd minute.
Harmanpreet completed his hat-trick with a penalty stroke in the 58th minute. Shello Silverius then scored a field goal in the 60th minute to cut Malaysia's deficit.
World No. 8 India are pursuing their sixth Asian Champions Trophy title. They also defeated Malaysia 5-1 in the Asian Games final.
