Asian Champions Trophy Hockey: Raj Kumar Pal’s hattrick powers India into semis with 8-1 hammering of Malaysia

Hulunbuir: Defending champions India booked their spot in the semifinals of the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in a resounding fashion with a 8-1 hammering of Malaysia for their third successive round robin win on Wednesday. Raj Kumar Pal (3rd, 25th and 33rd minute), Araijeet Singh Hundal (6th and 39th minute), Jugraj Singh (7th minute), 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 will play Korea next on Thursday.

Riding high on momentum after back-to-back wins, India started the game aggressively and put Malaysia on the backfoot 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, who showcased remarkable stickwork. The second was scored by Araijeet, who found the top corner from the far post, shooting past the left shoulder of the Malaysian goalie.

Jugraj’s powerful drag-flick during a penalty corner routine in the next minute of the opening quarter made it 3-0 for India. Malaysia, on the other hand, took time to settle in. They survived multiple penalty corners in the following minutes of the opening quarter and began the next quarter on a positive note.

They earned their first penalty corner of the match in the 18th minute, but Suraj Karkera, who was under the bar, made an easy save. India launched an immediate counterattack and earned yet another penalty corner, but the Malaysian first rusher averted the danger. India continued to make attacking forays into the Malaysian half. They earned a series of penalty corners, with the last one being converted by Captain Harmanpreet Singh, making it 4-0 by the 22nd minute.

Rajkumar added a second goal to his name in the 25th minute, finding the back of the net on a rebound off the Malaysian goalie after a shot taken by Uttam Singh inside the circle. While Malaysia made errors in defence, India were clinical in their attack, thus ending the first half with a dominant 5-0 lead.

The third quarter continued in a similar fashion, with the Indian team maintaining control of the game through relentless attacks. Rajkumar went on to complete his hat-trick as he scored on a rebound off Malaysian goalkeeper Adrian, who had blocked Vivek Sagar Prasad’s initial shot in an open play.

Meanwhile, Malaysia sneaked into India’s circle and pulled a goal back through Akhimullah Anuar (34′) in the next minute. However, India went on to add two more goals to their tally as Hundal scored his second goal in the 39th minute, while Uttam slotted the ball home after a chaotic penalty corner routine in the 40th minute, ending the third quarter with a massive 8-1 scoreline.

It was a quiet final quarter as India slowed their tempo, and Malaysia couldn’t capitalise on the opportunity. With about six seconds remaining, India requested a video referral for a penalty corner but was unsuccessful, thus no further goals were scored in the final quarter.

Expressing delight over India’s third consecutive win, Hero of the Match, Arajieet Singh Hundal said, “We want to go all through in every game, we have to win every game, that is what we plan in team meetings. We are here to win. Personally, the last two games were not up to mark, but I’m really happy that I scored today. I am getting my confidence back day by day, and I will do much better for India in the upcoming games.”