India defeated Malaysia 3-2 in the quarter finals of the World Hockey League semi finals played at Antewrp, Belguim. It was an entertaining match as both the teams had a real go at each other, but India just about sneaked in the 2nd half and put pressure on the Malaysian defenders to comeback from 2-1 down to win it 3-2.
In the first quarter India made the first attacking move as India scored the first goal on 2.45 minutes when Akashdeep gave a pass to Satbir Singh who gave India an early 1-0 lead. The next move came from Akashdeep who hit a reverse flick which went over the extended arms of goalkeeper and goalpost. On 4.22 minutes Malaysia earned first penalty corner which was not properly trapped by the dragflicker. On 4.58 minutes Ramandeep hit a shot but was well saved by the Malaysian goalkeeper. On 8.59 minutes Malaysia hit a good shot but was well saved the P Sreejesh. Both teams were attacking after that. In the dying moments Malaysia earned a penalty corner and Raize converted the penalty corner into a goal to equal the score at 1-1.
In the 2nd quarter Malaysia started off oo a positive note as they hit a shot but was well saved by Sreejesh. On 2.33 minutes Malaysia earned a penalty corner but was saved by the defender. Malaysia converted a penalty corner into a goal in the 10th minute and the goal scorer was Sharun to give Malaysia a 2-1 lead. India earned two penalty corners but did not convert the chances into goals. At the end of 2nd quarter Malaysia led 2-1.
At the start of 3rd quarter India made some aggressive moves. On 4.20 minutes Malaysia too made a good move but it was well saved by P Sreejesh. India and Malaysia played some entertaining hockey but no goals were scored. At the end of 3rd quarter Malaysia led 2-1.
In the final quarter India earned two successive penalty corners. On 2.45 minutes Jasjit Singh Kular hit a shot and India asked for a review for a backstick. Jasjit Singh Kular converted the 2nd penalty corner into a goal to equal the score at 2-2. On 4.15 minutes India made another positive move but it was well saved twice the Malaysian goalkeeper. On 6.48 minutes Malaysia made an attacking move but was saved brilliantly by Sreejesh. On 8.25 minutes Malaysia made another positive move but again was well saved by P Sreejesh. On 9.47 India earned a penalty corner and Jasjit Singh Kular converted the penalty corner into a goal to give India 3-2 lead. On 11.04 India missed another chance which was well saved by the Malaysian goalkeeper. On 14.22 minutes Malaysia earned another penalty corner, got another penalty corner but India asked for a review. The decision went in favor of India. At the end of match India won 3-2.
India enters into semi finals of the tournament and will play the winner of Belguim on 3rd July.