Asian Hockey Champions: India beat Malaysia to enter semifinals

In Hockey, defending champions India qualified for the semifinal of the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy tournament after thrashing Malaysia 8-1 in the round robin stage at Hulunbuir in China Wednesday afternoon. Rajkumar Pal scored a hattrick while Araijeet Singh Hundal netted a brace to help India register their third successive preliminary round win. Raj Kumar netted in the 3rd, 25th and 33rd minute and Araijeet Singh found the net in 6th and 39th minute. Jugraj Singh and Harmanpreet Singh also got into the scores heet from the penalty corners while Uttam Singh grabbed India’s eighth and final goal in 40th minute.
Riding high on momentum after back-to-back wins, India started the game aggressively. They put Malaysia on the back foot in no time, as they scored as many as three goals in the opening seven minutes of the match.The first goal came from Rajkumar Pal (3'), who showcased remarkable stickwork. The second was scored by Araijeet Singh Hundal (6'), who found the top corner from thefar post, shooting past the left shoulder of the Malaysian goalie, while the third goal came through Jugraj Singh's powerful drag-flick during a penalty corner routine in the next minute of the opening quarter.
For last edition’s runners-up, Malaysia, Akhimullah Anuar in the 34th minute managed the solitary strike. India is currently on top of the standings with nine points from three wins.The six-team tournament is being played in a round-robin format, with the top four teams qualifying for the semifinals on 16th of September. The final is set for 17th of September.