Defending champions India were on track to regain a hat-trick of men’s Junior Asian Cup hockey titles, defeating Malaysia 3-1 to advance to Tuesday’s continental tournament final. India, unbeaten in the tournament so far, booked a place in the final with goals from Dilraj Singh (10th minute), Rohit (45th minute) and Sharda Nand Tiwari (52nd minute). Malaysia’s only goal was scored by Azimuddin Kamaruddin from a penalty stroke in the 57th minute. India will face arch-rivals Pakistan in Wednesday’s blockbuster final. Pakistan defeated Japan 4-2 in the first semi-final match. India may have taken the lead in the first quarter but it was an abysmal performance from the title holders.
Malaysia attacked from the beginning and had many chances, including two penalty corners, but the Indians defended well.
Three minutes into the game, Malaysia earned the first penalty corner of the match, but the Indians defended well.
Three minutes later, Malaysia earned a second penalty corner, which was blocked by Indian goalkeeper Bikramjit Singh but Ankit Pal parried away.
However, the Indians continued to take the lead in the 10th minute when Dilraj received a tricky pass from Araijeet Singh Hundar and hit it on the board.
The Indians got off to a strong start in the second quarter, earning their first penalty corner in the 17th minute, but were unable to break through the Malaysian defense.
Malaysia then won two more penalty corners but were unable to break through the Indian defence, making it another tough performance from the Indians.
Three minutes after the change of ends, the Indians set up an attack and came close to scoring, but the Malaysian goalkeeper made a great save.
Malaysia earned a penalty corner in the 37th minute, but the shot hit the sidebar.
India earned their second penalty corner 32 seconds into the third quarter when Rohit scored with a perfect drag-flick to the left of the Malaysian goalkeeper.
India got their third set-piece in the 48th minute but squandered the chance.
A few minutes later, India won a series of penalty corners, the second of which was reversed by Sharda Nand from the rebound after the first flick was saved by the Malaysian goalkeeper.
The Malaysians continued to fight until the end, winning back-to-back penalty corners in the 57th minute, which resulted in a penalty stroke for a foul on an Indian defender, and Kamaruddin made no mistake to close the gap.
But it was too late for Malaysia.
Two minutes after the final heckle, India earned their fifth penalty corner, but the shot went wide.
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