Ice Hockey Women’s Asian Cup: India secure 2-1 win over Malaysia

The Indian team came out from behind in a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Malaysia as they continued to gain momentum in the Asian Junior Cup Women’s Ice Hockey Tournament in Kakamigare on Monday. Mumtaz Khan (10th) and Deepika (26th) proved to be India’s saviors after Malaysia took a sixth-minute lead thanks to Dian Nazeri. The victory meant that India remained at the top of Group A after their crushing 22–0 victory over Uzbekistan in the first tournament. India went on the offensive from the start and converted a couple of corner penalties in the process, but failed to convert them.

Malaysia, on the other hand, initially intended to keep a large share of possession, but soon went into counter-offensive mode, and it paid off as an unmarked Nazeri scored an easy field goal to give her team a surprise lead.

But Malaysia’s joy was short-lived as Mumtaz equalized for India from a penalty corner four minutes later.

India continued to play attacking hockey looking for a lead in the second quarter and the plan worked when they won a penalty four minutes before half time and Deepika was right.

The third quarter began just as India continued to dominate the game and pose a threat to the Malaysian defense but failed to score a goal.

The fourth and final quarter started in the opposite direction from the first three as India went on the defensive and struggled to retain possession while Malaysia raised their level in search of an equalizer.

But the Indians soon realized that this ruse would not last long and changed gear, playing mostly in the Malaysian half, but goals eluded them.

India will play Korea in their third pool match on Tuesday.

(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by the NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated channel.)