Asian Champions Trophy 2023 hockey: India eyes win against table-topper Malaysia

 



For a team with a disproportionate share of victories in their face-offs, India has never been very comfortable against Malaysia. On Sunday, the host would be hoping to do better than the 3-3 draw it managed the last time the two met but it won’t be easy.

Craig Fulton’s men have had contrasting outings in the two games they have played so far at the Asian Champions Trophy 2023, struggling to score against Japan despite being the superior and dominant side.


For a team with a disproportionate share of victories in their face-offs, India has never been very comfortable against Malaysia. On Sunday, the host would be hoping to do better than the 3-3 draw it managed the last time the two met but it won’t be easy.

Craig Fulton’s men have had contrasting outings in the two games they have played so far at the Asian Champions Trophy 2023 struggling to score against Japan despite being the superior and dominant side Malaysia, on the other hand, has come out all guns blazing with most of the key players – some of them like Faizal Saari returning to national duty after a long gap – drawing on its vast experience to go top of the table with full points.

Malaysia, on the other hand, has come out all guns blazing with most of the key players – some of them like Faizal Saari returning to national duty after a long gap – drawing on its vast experience to go top of the table with full points.

It is this experience and momentum that Fulton would be hoping to break.

“We started the game really well, we just couldn’t find the connections in front of the goal in the first 15-20 minutes... It’s every coach’s concern if you are not converting your chances, whether PCs or field goals (but) nothing changes, it’s a tournament, one game at a time,” Fulton said after the match against Japan that saw India squandering opportunities by the dozen.

Against Malaysia, with veteran Razie Rahim manning the defence, scoring won’t get any easier. India holds a 22-7 win record against Malaysia but that wouldn’t matter on the field.

Malaysia, though, hasn’t really been tested either so far. It has faced an inexperienced and tired Pakistan side and a relatively weaker China side and, would be aware that India will be a tougher opponent.

With the Asian Games the main target, Malaysia coach Arul Anthoni making it clear his team would be playing attacking hockey and Fulton letting it be known that the team had the “long game” in mind, it will be interesting to see how the teams approach the game.

India vs Malaysia to start at 8.30 pm IST at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium.

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