Sultan of Johor Cup: Scintillating India cut Malaysia to size, clinch 3rd Sultan of Johor Cup
File Photo: Indian Team celebrating
A year back, it was a case of so near and so far for the Indian team, which went down fighting 2-3 to Germany in the 2012 Sultan of Johor Cup final after having pipped them comprehensively in the league phase.
The disappointment of finishing second-best on that occasion evaporated as the Manpreet Singh-led Indian team came up with a spirited, free-flowing hockey to outclass hosts Malaysia 3-0 to corner glory at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
The Blueshirts were wary of the Malaysians, who after trailing 0-2 for 60 minutes of their league tie, rebounded to play out a 3-3 draw.
Egged on by a 15,000 home crowd, the Malaysians had everything going for them, but the Indians were on a different mission – extra determined to win this tourney.
India looked promising in the 5th minute when Satbir Singh essayed a rasping shot, which was padded away by Malaysian goal-tender Mohd Hafizuddin Othman.
India won a penalty corner in the 13th minute but Amit Rohidass failed to profit from it.
A few minutes later Amon Mirash Tirkey put India ahead when he made the most of a superb run on the left by Kothajit Singh.
India continued its offensive ways and created three short corners, but could not capitalize on those opportunities as they went into half time with a 1-0 lead.
Malaysian started the second half with ten men after Muhammad Azri Hassan was yellow-carded.
India maintained sustained pressure on Malaysia and forced two penalty corners in the 42nd and 45th minutes, but those chances went a begging.
Malaysia had their opportunities – they earned two short corners in the 47th minute and in the 52nd minute, but they squandered those attempts.
India doubled the lead in the 55th minute when in-form Ramandeep Singh sprinted from the right on a counter-attack and fed vice-captain Yousuf Affan, who tapped home.
India wasted as many seven penalty corners and finally made their eight one count when skipper Manpreet Singh executed a slap shot which beat the Malaysian goalie all ends up.
Malaysia had six minutes to make a match of it, but India did not give any leeway and emerged deserved winners.
It may be worth recalling that hosts Malaysia had won the inaugural Sultan of Johor Cup in 2011, pipping Australia 3-2 on golden goal.
Germany had won the second Sultan of Johor Cup in 2012, edging out India 3-2. Significantly, the defending champions did not take part in the 2013 edition.