India thrash Malaysia as Korea, Pakistan share spoils

India moved one step closer to the grand finale of the Hero Asia Cup Hockey 2017 after handing Malaysia a comfortable 6-2 defeat in their second match of the Super Four round at Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium in Dhaka Thursday. In the day's other match at the same venue in the afternoon, reigning champion South Korea conceded their second consecutive draw in the second round when they played out a 1-1 draw against former champion Pakistan. Akashdeep Singh continued his fine form as he opened the scoring for India in the 14th minute before Harmanpreet Singh (penalty corner), Uthappa Sannuvanda, Gurjant Singh, Sunil Sowmarpet and Sardar Singh added one apiece in the 19th, 26th, 33rd, 39th and 59th minute respectively. Malaysia failed to score in the first three quarters before Razie Rahim (PC) and Rosli Ramadan netted consolation goals in the 50th and 58th minute respectively.

Hockey Asia Cup 2017: Dominant India crush Malaysia 6-2 https://t.co/nO0EKcuunB

— TOI Sports News (@TOISportsNews) October 19, 2017

The victory allowed India to leapfrog South Korea and Malaysia to the top of the Super Four points table. Following the quartet’s first two matches, India top the standing with four points with Malaysia a close second with a point less. South Korea have earned two points while Pakistan, who lost to Malaysia in their first match, sit at the bottom with a single point. Saturday's fixtures will determine who will play in the final as the two fiercest rivals India and Pakistan will be taking on each other once more in the event while South Korea and Malaysia will battle in the other match. After that, the top two finishers will play in the final, scheduled to be held Sunday at 5:30pm. The bottom two sides will play in the third-place deciding match on the same day.

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Also read: India continue dominance over Pakistan

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RESULTSIndia 6 (Akashdeep 14, Harmanpreet 19, Sannuvanda 26, Gurjant 33, Sowmarpet 39, Sardar 59) 2 Malaysia (Razie 50, Ramadan 58)South Korea 1 1 Pakistan