Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 12 (ANI): India males’s hockey workforce captain Harmanpreet Singh feels that their encounter in opposition to Malaysia within the closing Asian Champions Trophy on Saturday will not be simple however they’re totally ready for it.
India produced a stellar efficiency to seal off a 5-0 victory in opposition to Japan of their semifinal encounter on Friday. While Malaysia additionally carried out an identical end result because the mauled Korea to seal their place within the closing with a 6-2 victory.
In the post-match convention, Harmanpreet addressed the problem that lies forward of them within the closing of the Asian Champions Trophy.
Even although India thumped 5 objectives previous Malaysia of their group-stage encounter, the Indian skipper feels it will not be a simple sport for them.
“Securing a place in the final is a very big thing for us and we would like to do well in the final. It will be a tough game. We are fully ready and we know that it is important for us to win,” Harmanpreet mentioned.
While coming to the match, after a nervy begin to the sport, the hosts slowly gained management of the sport. An early penalty nook gave India a chance to go one in entrance. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh’s drag flick was met by Japan’s goalkeeper and so they replied with a swift counterattack to place the Blues in hassle. The closing shot was a whisker away from the submit.
A minute later, ahead Shamsher Singh was proven a inexperienced card and he needed to sit out for the subsequent two minutes. Both sides pressed laborious for a aim however the first quarter ended on stage phrases.
The second quarter started in Japan’s favour as India made a mistake however Japan didn’t punish them. Akashdeep Singh made Japan pay by scoring the primary aim of the sport with a area aim.
The Indian workforce smelled blood and so they pounced rapidly to strike twice earlier than the halftime whistle. A drag flick from Harmanpreet received India their second aim of the sport, whereas an excellent hit from Mandeep made the scoreline 3-0.
India got here out all weapons blazing to start the third quarter on a robust word. Sumit made a magical run contained in the putting circle to place the ball previous the keeper within the thirty ninth minute of the sport.
Karthi Selvam made it 5 for India within the 51st minute after Sukhjeet Singh’s move from contained in the circle. (ANI)