Men’s hockey: India down Malaysia after trailing twice

NEW DELHI - India fought their way to a 3-2 win against Malaysia in their opening mens hockey fixture of the 19th Commonwealth Games at the packed Major Dhyan Chand Stadium here Tuesday, after being twice in arrears.

Bharat Chhikara, the son of a bus driver, scored the match-winner in the 67th minute to break the 2-2 tie after Hafiz Hanafi (16th) and Azlan Misron (33rd) had put Malaysia twice in front.

India came back on both occasions on penalty corner conversions by Dhananjay Mahadhik (27th) and Sandeep Singh (35th).

India were trifle fortunate to have survived the game as the Malaysians muffed golden chances to wrap up the match that the hosts dominated but could not translate their superiority into goals.

On the day, the Malaysians exposed a tottering Indian defence that just about survived the night, thanks in the main to some fine play by Mahadhik who repeatedly thwarted the rival attacks.

In the midfield too, India, despite having a better say, were unable to capitalize on the openings with the forwards missing out on scoring opportunities and it was left to Chhikara to provide the home team a winning start.

The first-half witnessed high voltage drama.

India controlled the pace and exchanges initially but Malaysia drew first blood against run of play when Hanafi stretched forward to reverse flick the ball into the net following a move from the left.

Stunned by the reverse, the Indians took a while to get their bearings before applying pressure that fetched them a couple of penalty corners, but on both occasions, specialist Sandeep Singh was still on the bench and India turned to Mahadhik.

The rugged defender missed the first attempt, but found the net with the second award for the equalizer amidst ear-splitting cheers from the stands.

With half-time looming around the corner, India failed to keep the ball in their possession and the Malaysians went ahead two minutes from the break.

India went on the offensive in the final minute and forced their third penalty corner with about 13 seconds left of the session and Sandeep, who had come off the bench in the 28th minute, converted to tie the scores 2-2.

The Malaysian custodian was kept busy and he rose to the challenge to frustrate the Indians whose finish did not match the sharpness of their penetrations.

With a little over three minutes remaining, Chhikara latched on to a long hit from Gurbaj Singh, turned swiftly and slammed the ball past Subramaniam as the stands erupted in celebrations.

In the final minute, India received two penalty corners after the full-time hooter, but both were unproductive. However, it did not matter as the hosts pocketed three vital points.