India strike form, finish third; Korea claim title

The Indian forwards finally struck form a little too late as they brushed aside hosts Malaysia 4-2 to finish third and claim the bronze medal.

After a goalless first half, India finally came into their own as the trio of Dhanraj Pillay, Baljit Singh Dhillon and Deepak Thakur made the Malaysian circle their own domain for most of the second half.

The gold medal match saw Atif Bashir putting Pakistan ahead as early as the ninth minute but the Koreans struck back through Hwang Jong Hyun’s brace (13th and 16th) to go 2-1 up.

But the complexion of the gamechanged again as Pakistan went 3-2 ahead 10 minutes to the halftime with Mohammad Sarwar (22nd) and Ali Raza sounding the board.

After the break, Kasif Jawed made it 4-2 in the 42nd minute but the Koreans fought back again to settle the issue in their favour against a depleted Pakistani side in the last seven minutes.

Pakistan were reduced to nine men as Ali Raza and Mohammed Sarwar were sent out.

GOALS IN SECOND HALF: After a goalless first half, India finally came into their own as the trio of Dhanraj Pillay, Baljit Singh Dhillon and Deepak Thakur made the Malaysian circle their own domain.

Senthil gave India the lead in the 44th minute and Deepak Thakur slammed home the second in the 50th. Three minutes later, Saiful Zailni scored off a penalty corner to reduce the lead.

But Thakur struck again in the 61st minute, followed by Dhanraj Pillay in the 64th to take the match beyond the hosts, who reduced the lead to 4-2 in the 69th minute off a Mirnawan Nawawi deflection.

Malaysia held swayfor most of the first half but both teams made elementary errors in the midfield and defence.

The Indian forwards started combining well in the second half as Malaysia also opened up the game as they pushed forward. That gave Dhillon the space he was looking for.

Once he got moving it was difficult to stop him. In the 43rd minute, India came close to scoring when Senthil and Pillay following a Dhillon move cut into the circle with Senthil shooting. The rebound off the goalkeeper’s pads was picked up Pillay but his whack sent the ball zooming over the bar.

A minute later Thakur and Dhillon moved up. With two defenders in front of him, Dhillon tapped the ball to an unmarked Senthil who slammed to open India’s account. India maintained territorial supremacy and moved the ball beautifully all over the ground. Dhillon, almost playing as a midfielder, was the man making the moves as he passed the ball to Thakur and Pillay. It was one such move in the 50th minute that set up India’s second goal. Off adefensive error, Dhillon sent the ball to Pillay who moved into the circle and gave it to Thakur who slammed it in (2-0). Three minutes later, off a counter-attack Malaysia earned their fifth penalty corner which they converted (1-2).

India’s third goal came in the 61st minute. Dhillon moved up with the ball, dribbling past four players before giving it to Pillay. Pushed into a narrow angle, Pillay drew the goalkeeper out before tapping it to Deepak Thakur who shot in (3-1).

Three minutes later, came the move of the match when Deepak Thakur, Dhillon and Pillay moved into the circle. Dhillon drew the defence out and passed to Pillay who just had to tap it in (4-2).