Colts maintain clean slate

Sandeep Singh scored a goal in each half to help India get past a fighting Malaysia 5-2 and top group B in the Junior Asia Cup hockey here today. Sandeep converted a penalty stroke in the 23rd minute and added another in the last minute of the match as the reigning world junior champions won their fourth match in a row but only after fighting hard against a spirited Malaysian team.

India, who won the Junior World Cup in Hobart, Australia in 2001, now meets the runners-up of group A to be decided after today’s last match between hosts Pakistan and defending Asian junior champions South Korea.

In the day’s other matches China outlasted Sri Lanka 1-0 while Singapore upset Japan 2-1. Against the rampaging Indians, Malaysians showed grit in the second half as they pulled back two quick goals to reduce the deficit to 2-3 and looked ominous to come on level terms. Earlier, India had opened the scoring with a tenth minute goal through skipper Sandeep Michael and then doubled the lead when Sandeep Singh converted a penalty stroke. Michael made it 3-0 soon after the start of the second half but Malaysia rallied back brilliantly with two quick goals.

The semi-finals are scheduled for Tuesday.