Dhillon, Dhanraj & Dilip drill Malaysia

The Indians dominated the match throughout and were not even affected by a one hour 20 minutes delay caused by a strong thunderstorm. India was also awarded the Fair Play Trophy.

Earlier, Germany edged past New Zealand 3-2 in extra time after the two sides were locked 2-2 in regulation time to take the fifth position.

Pakistan’s win came against the run of the play as Korea had an edge in the exchanges but the winners escaped thanks to goalkeeper Ahmed Alam, who was later adjudged man-of-the-match.

Alam played his heart out effecting as many as six saves of field attempts and penalty corners.

The Indians, who had also finished third in the Asia Cup at the same venue, were now pushing hard as Mohd Riaz also started switching positions with centre-half Thirumalvalvan.

One of Riaz’s passes through the middle found Pillay on top of the circle. Dodging past one defender, Pillay used his reverse hit to deadly effect as the ball zoomed into the goal beating goalkeeper Mohammed Nasihin to put India 2-1 ahead.

Malaysia could have restored parity in the 23rd minute when they earned their second penalty corner, but Kuhan’s shot was deflected over the goal by an onrushing Pillay to keep India in the lead into the break.

The Indians picked up momentum in the second session after Sukhbir Singh Gill was brought in for Riaz and the moves started flowing fast.

India had a good chance of increasing the margin when they earned their first penalty corner off an attack by pillay in the 42nd minute, but Tirkey’s hit went out.

Three minutes later, India wasted another chance when Thirumalvalvan shot straight to the goalkeeper after a one-two with Pillay inside the circle.

Yet another penalty corner was wasted in the 47th minute, but the Indians finally managed to increase the lead off the fourth penalty corner in the 54th minute. Tirkey’s direct hit flew in off a defender’s stick to make it 3-1.

Players were forced off the field as a thunder-shower hit the stadium with full ferocity. But the one hour and 20 minutes delay did not effect the Indians as they were in full flow and virtually cut the Malaysian defence to ribbons to complete an impressive win.

Pillay and Dhillon moved into the Malaysian half at will, set up by excellent through passes from Baljit Singh Saini. Though the turf was still heavily water-logged in sections, both the teams battled on courageously.

Pillay had an excellent chance in the 62nd minute when he latched onto a through pass from Dhillon and was face-to-face with the goalkeeper Mohammed Nasihin. But Nasihin baulked Pillay by charging out.

Pillay still managed to hold on to the ball and passed to Senthil, who, faced with an empty goal, shot out.

In the 67th minute, Baljit Dhillon went into the Malaysian half and after beating a defender, made space and his first timer from the top of the circle beat the goalkeeper Nasihin to clinch the big win for India, who had beaten the same rivals 2-1 in the league clash.

With 56 seconds to go, India earned their fifth penaltycorner — the attempt was disallowed as Tirkey’s shot was ruled too high.