India defeats Malaysia in the final match of the Hockey Asia Cup score of 2-1, lift first Hockey Asia Cup title in 10 years. It started the final on a watchful note, but a chance presented itself as early as the third minute. Ramandeep Singh pounced on the chance after SV Sunil made the first move to crack the Malaysian defense.
Malaysians who played their first final of the Asia cup managed to create chances but failed as Indian defense was unyielding as ever. Then, in the 29th minute, Lalit Upadhayay connected produced a perfectly-timed dive to connect cross. That's enough for India. A two-goal cushion was however reduced with an opportunistic Shahril Saabah goal in the 50th minute. Then, India played out the remaining ten minutes with skipper Manpreet Singh leading the defensive line with command. India last won the title in 2007. India is now tied with Pakistan as the second most successful team in the tournament, behind South Korea. The Koreans have won it four times.
India got the better start as they taste the first goal in the 3rd minute of the match. Perfect started for team India as Ramandeep Singh slots home the first goal from a defensive error.
The second goal for men in blue had strike by Lalit who times his slide perfectly to connect the cross and Goal in the 29th minute
Goal for Malaysia come at the end of the second half in the 50th minute. Malaysia are back in the match after two load deficit. Credit to Shahril Saabah for keeping his cool to tap in the rising ball from an Indian deflection.
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