Defending champion India would search for an outright win towards South Korea in its remaining Tremendous 4 round-robin league match to guide their place within the remaining of the Asia Cup males's hockey event right here on Tuesday.
India had nearly clinched a spot within the title conflict on Sunday earlier than Razie Rahim turned out to be Malaysia's saviour with a hat-trick in an enthralling 3-3 draw of their second 'Tremendous 4' encounter.
India had earlier defeated Japan 2-1 in its first match on Saturday.
Because the Tremendous 4's desk stands, South Korea with a aim distinction of +2 (5-3) are on prime with India (GD) of +1 (5-4) are positioned second.
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Japan with two defeats is out of the reckoning whereas Malaysia (GD) 0 (5-5) have an out of doors likelihood if it will probably beat Japan by a complete margin (minimal 2 targets) supplied India and South Korea match ends in a draw.
However come Tuesday, the Indians would look to keep away from the permutations and combos with an outright win over the Koreans.
Nevertheless, it will be simpler mentioned than achieved because the Koreans seemed a totally completely different aspect within the Tremendous 4s, having drawn 2-2 towards Malaysia after which beating Japan 3-1.
The Indians too upped their sport by leaps and bounds after their first two pool video games.
India not solely achieved an inconceivable activity of beating hosts Indonesia by greater than 15-goal margin in its final pool match to qualify for the Tremendous 4s but additionally eked out a detailed 2-1 win over Japan, who defeated it 2-5 within the preliminary phases.
Towards Malaysia on Sunday, the Indians made valiant fightback and got here from two targets down to guide 3-2 within the remaining quarter earlier than Rahim transformed a penalty nook from the ultimate hooter to grab the win from India's arms, which may have sealed their place within the summit conflict.
The Indian ahead line seemed spectacular with the likes of Uttam Singh, SV Sunil and Pawan Rajbhar shinning brightly with their industrious play.
Actually, it was Sunil, who scored a high-quality aim towards Malaysia from an acute angle after Rajbhar set it up for the previous along with his highly effective play within the midfield.
Actually, the Indians created quite a few probabilities however the strikers didn't get the decisive contact within the remaining third, an space which head coach Sardar Singh would need his boys to enhance.
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The mid-field fared nicely to this point however it's the Birendra Lakra-led back-line which wants to tug up its socks as they conceded pointless penalty corners from which the Malaysians benefited.
Suraj Karkera has been spectacular underneath the Indian goalpost, making quite a few saves along with his alertness and positioning.
However towards the Koreans the Indians should be at their greatest as their opponents are recognized for brisk counterattacks.
In the meantime within the different Tremendous 4 match of the day, Japan will play Malaysia.
