Chennai: In a thrilling clash during the Asian Champions Trophy, the Indian team, playing on their home turf, roared back to form with an impressive 5-0 win over Malaysia. The momentum was set early in the first quarter when Karthi Selvam, representing the city, struck a brilliant field goal off a precise pass from Harmanpreet Singh, giving India the lead.
As the game progressed, Hardik Singh added to Malaysia's pressure by doubling India's advantage with a well-executed penalty corner goal in the beginning of the third quarter (32nd minute). Harmanpreet, determined to make up for a missed penalty corner opportunity, showcased his prowess by finding the back of the net in the 42nd minute, further deepening Malaysia's misery.
India's forward line continued to dominate the match, with Gurjant Singh netting a field goal in the 53rd minute, taking the score to 4-0. Just a minute later, Jugraj Singh joined the scoring spree, adding another goal to complete the commanding 5-0 victory.
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This resounding win solidified India's status as a strong contender in the tournament, as they maintained their unbeaten streak. Earlier, they had trounced China 7-2 in the opening match and secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Japan in the subsequent game.
On the other hand, Malaysia, entering the match on the back of two consecutive victories, including a convincing 3-1 win over Pakistan and a dominant 5-1 victory against China, faced a formidable Indian side that showcased exceptional skills and teamwork throughout this encounter. India are set to take on Pakistan on August 9.
(With Inputs From PTI)
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