What a final it was. Trailing 1-3 at half-time, India bounced back to beat a determined Malaysia 4-3 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on Saturday to win their fourth Asian Champions Trophy title.
Jugraj Singh (9th minute), skipper Harmanpreet Singh (45th), Gurjant Singh (45th), and Akashdeep Singh (56th) delivered the crucial goals for the Indian team.
Malaysia's spirited performance saw Abu Kamal Azrai (14th), Razie Rahim (18th), and Muhamad Aminudin (28th) netting goals.
India’s four title wins make them the most successful teams in ACT history.
India started well with a ninth minute penalty conversion by Jugraj, but thereafter it was tough going for the hosts. Malaysia relentlessly tested the Indian defence. Their persistence paid off in the 14th minute when Azari capitalized on a pass from Azuan Hasan to score.
India attempted to regain momentum with consecutive penalty corners, but failed to capitalize.
Malaysia, on the other hand, scored a second with their penalty corner, Rahim finding the target in the 18th minute after a deflection from Amit Rohidas' stick. Aminudin extended Malaysia's lead to 3-1 in the 28th minute, capitalizing on another penalty corner opportunity.
India had thrashed Malaysia 5-0 in the league phase, and not many expected they would go into the lemon break 3-1 down.
But the recovery started immediately after resumption. Within one minute, India scored twice through a Harmanpreet penalty and then a field goal by Gurjant.
As the match neared its conclusion, India earned a penalty corner, but Harmanpreet's flick was thwarted by the Malaysian goalkeeper. Despite the setback, India continued to press and secured another penalty corner, narrowly missing the mark with Harmanpreet's attempt.
The triumphant moment arrived in the 56th minute when Akashdeep sealed India's victory with a powerful slap shot from the 'D' following a pass from Mandeep Singh. In the final moments, India attacked more, only to be denied by the Malaysian goalkeeper. But then the whistle blue and the trophy was India’s.
