Asian Champions Trophy: India crush Malaysia; Pakistan, Japan share the spoils

India crush Malaysia 5-0, inch closer to semifinals

A dominant India roared back to winning ways with a 5-0 mauling of Malaysia in a round-robin fixture of the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy hockey in Chennai on Sunday.

Local favourite Karthi Selvam (15th minute) and vice-captain Hardik Singh (32') were on target, along with skipper Harmanpreet Singh (42'), Gurjant Singh (53') and Jugraj Singh (54').

The result took India to the top of the table, helping them inch closer to sealing a semifinals' berth.

India began the first quarter on an attacking note, coming close to penetrating the Malaysian box and creating some very clear scoring chances.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's Fitri Saari was green-carded for a harsh interception in the eighth minute.

With the first quarter coming to a close, Harmanpreet ran towards the Malaysian box unmarked and passed the ball inside to Selvam, who comfortably tapped it in to give the hosts the lead.

At the start of the subsequent quarter, India's Vivek Sagar saw a green card. However, India continued to come up with relentless attacks, including a couple of penalty corners.

The Men in Blue came close again on two instances before the break but failed to make the most of the chances, as the Malaysians displayed some rigid defensive skills to keep it 1-0 at half time.

Following the restart, it did not take long for the Indians to extend their lead.

Just a couple of minutes into the third quarter, it was a penalty corner that midfielder Hardik successfully converted off a rebound after the initial flick from Harmanpreet was parried away by the goalie.

Malaysia too earned a penalty corner thereafter in the quarter that was successfully converted by Najmi Jazlan. However, the Indians appealed for a video referral and the goal was overturned on the grounds of a dangerous flick, turning the silence of the crowd into cheers.

While Nilakanta Sharma and Prasad were yellow-carded in 33rd and 37th minutes, in the 42nd, India received three consecutive penalties, and the third one was converted by Hardik.

As the action entered the final quarter, both teams upped their ante, but it was India that was dominating possession.

After a couple of corner chances, Gurjant shot in the fourth for the Indians in the 53rd minute, thanks to Hardik's assist for Mandeep Singh, as the latter's shot was deflected for Gurjant to complete the formality.

Despite putting in four, the Men in Blue refused to slow down, as a minute later, Jugraj successfully converted yet another penalty corner to extend their lead.

As the match approached its closing stages, India continued to play with intensity.

India will next be up against defending champions South Korea on Monday, while Malaysia take on Japan. 

Pakistan and Japan settle for a thrilling 3-3 draw

Pakistan and Japan gave it their all in the Asian Champions Trophy round-robin match before settling for a thrilling 3-3 draw in Chennai on Sunday.

The result keeps both the teams in contention for semifinal berths, with Japan placed fourth on the points table followed by Pakistan on fifth.

Both teams went into attacking mode right from the start with Pakistan opening their account in the ninth minute, courtesy a goal from Abdul Rana, who had missed the last game against defending champion South Korea.

Muhammad Khan's initial shot was saved by the Japanese goalkeeper before Rana, who was backing up, slotted home.

Japan did not take long to equalise, as four minutes later, Seren Tanaka angled the ball in from Yuma Nagai's assist to score a field goal in the final moments of the first quarter.

Pakistan kept the tempo high in the second quarter, coming up with a couple of scoring chances.

Five minutes before half time, the 'Men in Green' restored the lead through a penalty corner with Muhammad Khan making no mistake in shooting it past the Japanese goalkeeper.

Following the change of ends, the Japanese showed urgency and started to use the flanks more efficiently. They had a penalty corner decision overturned through a video referral, but struck in the 37th minute. Takuma Niwa set it up for Ryosei Kato to help Japan draw level again.

Just when the third quarter was about to end, the Japanese earned another penalty corner, and skipper Masaki Ohashi flicked it in with all his force to give his side the upper hand.

The third quarter also saw Pakistan's Muhammad Ammad and Muhammad Khan being shown the green cards for reckless interceptions.

Japan changed tactics in the final quarter, trying to keep possession of the ball as much as possible. The short-pass tactic did work for the Japanese and they managed to breach the rival defence on several occasions but a goal eluded them.

Pakistan earned an opportunistic penalty corner in the 55th minute and Muhammad Khan successfully converted it to draw level.

Pakistan will take on China on Monday, while Japan face tricky challengers Malaysia the same day. 

China hold South Korea to 1-1 draw

China came up with a strong defensive show to hold reigning champions South Korea to a 1-1 draw in a round-robin match of the Asian Champions Trophy.

While Jonghyun Jang opened the scoring for Korea, Chongcong Chen pulled off the equaliser for China at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium.

The opening quarter was uneventful with both sides unable to create opportunities.

It was not until the second quarter that South Korea earned the contest's first penalty corner, with skipper Jonghyun Jang converting it to put his side ahead in the 18th minute.

Both sides continued to apply defensive tactics resulting in half-hearted attempts at the goal.

The third quarter began with a fair degree of intensity, especially from China. A 43rd-minute field goal from close range from Chongcong Chen brought the Chinese back into the encounter.

Things became a bit rough in the middle following the goal with Korea's Manjae Jung being shown the green card.

With the match entering the final quarter, Korea showed a lot of urgency and came close to scoring on a couple of occasions.

However, none of their shots were able to penetrate China's defensive wall, as the two sides shared the honours.

China will next face Pakistan, while Korea will be up against hosts India on Monday.