The Indian men’s hockey team came back from a goal down to win 4-1 against Malaysia in their second Super 4 game of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar on Thursday.
It was a landmark day for India captain Harmanpreet Singh as he won his 250th cap for the Indian team.
For the hosts, the goals came from Manpreet Singh (17’), Sukhjeet Singh (19’), Shilanand Lakra (24’) and Vivek Sagar Prasad (38’). Shafiq Hassan (2’) found the back of the net for Malaysia.
It was Malaysia who got the better of the early exchanges as they scored with their first attack when Shafiq Hassan found the back of the net.
Malaysia then continued to dominate possession and kept the hosts under pressure.
Midway through the first quarter, India began to claw back into the match with Dilpreet Singh and Harmanpreet Singh controlling the midfield but Malaysia continued to hold out.
India finished the quarter in the ascendancy but it was Malaysia who led 1-0 at the hooter.
In the first few minutes of the second quarter, India won five back-to-back penalty corners and four were thwarted. The fifth saw Harmanpreet Singh’s shot saved before Manpreet Singh, India’s most experienced player, pounced on the chance and made it 1-1.
A couple of minutes later, Sukhjeet Singh made it 2-1 for the hosts as the momentum shifted.
With the half-hour mark around the corner, Dilpreet Singh picked up the ball in the middle of the park and drove it in towards Shilanand Lakra, who deflected it past the Malaysian goalkeeper to make it 3-1.
Malaysia did attack in the final phases of the first half but India’s defence kept them at bay.
Early in the third quarter, Malaysia won a penalty corner. However, Krishan Bahadur Pathak saved it brilliantly to help maintain India’s lead.
The hosts were looking to impose themselves further and continued to attack. Midway through the quarter, Manpreet set it up for Vivek Sagar Prasad, who promptly made it 4-1.
Malaysia looked to fight back and put together a few good moves as they went in search of their second goal. However, India’s defence held on and ended the quarter with their three-goal lead intact.
Firmly in control of the contest, India dominated possession in the early exchanges of the fourth quarter.
Not willing to give in, Malaysia kept on attacking but India’s defence, marshalled by Harmanpreet Singh, helped slam the door shut on their opponents as the hosts came away with a comfortable 4-1 win on the night.
India will play the People’s Republic of China next in the Super 4 pool stage on Saturday.