12 September,2024 07:51 AM IST | Hulunbuir (China) | PTI
Raj Kumar Pal (second from right) celebrates his goal v Malaysia in Hulunbuir yesterday. Pic/Hockey India
Young striker Raj Kumar Pal struck a hat-trick as title-holders India sealed a semi-final spot after thrashing Malaysia 8-1 for their third consecutive win in the Hero Asian Champions Trophy, here on Wednesday.
Apart from Raj Kumar (3rd, 25th and 33rd minute), Araijeet Singh Hundal (6th and 39th minute), Jugraj Singh (7th minute), skipper Harmanpreet Singh (22nd minute), and Uttam Singh (40th minute) sounded the board for India.
For Malaysia, Akhimullah Anuar (34th minute) managed the solitary strike. India are currently on top of the standings with nine points from three wins.
The six-team tournament is being played in a round-robin format and the top four will advance to the semifinals on September 16 followed by the final on September 17.
India had earlier defeated hosts China 3-0 in their tournament-opener before getting the better of Japan 5-1.
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Paris Olympics bronze-medallists India will next take on Korea on Thursday before finishing their league engagements against arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday.
Against Malaysia, the odds were against India going by recent results. The last match between these two sides was the final of the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy where India were trailing 1-3 at half-time.
In that game, the Indians came roaring back to eventually register a 4-3 win to claim the title.
The Indian strikers continued their fine form in the tournament and scored five field goals and three penalty corners, converted by Jugraj, Harmanpreet and Uttam.
Against Malaysia, the Indians started on the front foot with relentless attacks in the first quarter. And Raj Kumar didn't take long to hand India the lead, scoring a solo goal displaying incredible stickwork, thereby making a mockery of the Malaysian back-line.
Three minutes later, Araijeet doubled India's lead by finding the corner of the Malaysian post. A minute later, Jugraj extended the lead with a perfect penalty corner conversion with a powerful drag-flick. The team headed into the first quarter with a dominant 3-0 lead.
Meanwhile, Unbeaten Pakistan played valiantly to register their first victory in the Asian Champions Trophy by beating Japan 2-1 at the Moqi Hockey Training Base. Goals were scored by Ahmad Nadeem (10th) and Sufyan Khan (21st), while Raiki Fujishima (28th) scored for Japan.
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