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There is no end to late goals haunting the Indian hockey team. Two days back, Andy Hayward played a spoiler off a penalty corner conversion as New Zealand put it across India 2-1. And on Wednesday it was the turn of Shahrun Abdullah to puncture the aspirations of India, pulling off a match-clincher with just two minutes remaining for the final hooter to ensure his chalk up their first win of the 24th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh.
Until the late flourish by Shahrun, it seemed that India would manage a draw at least after Rupinder lifted the sagging Indian spirits in the early stages of the final quarter.
India were up against a Malaysian side, which was teeming with confidence after their hard-fought 2-3 loss to world champions Australia two days back. And the Sardar Singh-led Indian side knew that it won’t be a stroll in the park against the 12th ranked Malaysians.
The match saw both teams give nothing away in the opening quarter, but it probably did not live up to the excitement the boisterous home crowd would have anticipated. India were playing under lights for the first time in the tournament, and it was the Malaysians who glistered firing home the first goal in the second quarter through Faizal Saari, who converted a penalty corner, whipping home a flick to the right of hapless PR Sreejesh. India responded without much delay as Rupinder Pal Singh converted a short corner to even things up as both went into the half-time even stevens.
India, who were left to the ‘catching up’ job in their first two games against Korea and New Zealand, were left rattled when Malaysia regained the lead in the third quarter, putting under India under severe pressure to come back into the match before Rupinder once again came to the team’s rescue.
The Blueshirts were reduced to ten men when Manpreet Singh was given the marching orders for his second card of the day, thus giving Malaysia the numerical superiority, and the host made the most through a late goal, ensuring India remained winless in the tournament.
