The unexpected has happened in the Hockey. With all news coverage going to IPL, we have completely forgotten the Hockey being played somewhere. After missing the berth in Olympics this is some good news for hockey fans in the country. The ouster of KPS Gill has proved to be the lucky decision as India moved to finals after the gap of 12 years in the prestigious Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament. It’s a moment of glory for Indian hockey, after the decline witnessed in the past few months.
The young Indian team today beat Malaysia in the last league match by 2-1 to sideline arch rivals Pakistan and enter the finals at Ipoh in Malaysia. Shivendra Singh (9th minute) and Sandeep Singh (10th minute) scored goals very early in the match and that put India in the driver’s seat in the crucial match and they maintained the lead till the last minute before Mohammad Amin Rahim shot a goal in the last minute in the Indian post. The victory was essential for India because if the match would have ended in a draw it would have benefited to the Pakistan to reach in finals because of the better goal difference.
India gathered 12 points from their six matches and will take on Argentina, who have finished with 14 points, on Sunday in the finals. India lost to Argentina by 1-5 in the league clash.
India started the tournament on a sorry note by losing the first two matches against Argentina and New Zealand but then pulled up their socks to turn things around and the win over the hosts was their fourth consecutive victory beating Canada, Belgium, Pakistan and Malaysia.
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