India ended a 13-year wait to clinch their fourth Azlan Shah Hockey Cup, comprehensively defeating hosts Malaysia 3-1 in the finals of the five-nation tournament at Ipoh (Malaysia) on April 12, 2009.
Arjun Halappa (8th minute), Prabhjot Singh (20th) and Shivender Singh (41st) sounded the board for India through neatly worked out field goals, while Misron (11th) reduced the margin for the hosts.
High on confidence after their 3-0 win against Malaysia during the round-robin stage, India, who last won the tournament in 1995, started making forays into the rival half from the word go.
Although, it was the first match in the tournament that Sandeep did not score a goal, it hardly mattered for the world ranked 10th as Arjun gave India the the lead in the eighth minute through a neatly worked out field goal.
The lead was, however, short-lived as Misron drew parity, much to the delight of the home crowd, in 11th minute with a strike from close range.
Undeterred, the Indian forwards stepped up the attack and started making repeated inroads into their opponent's citadel and eventually managed to regain the lead when Prabhjot scored through another field goal nine minutes later to go into the breather 2-1.
Collective Team Efforts
The Indians, who in 2008 lost in the finals 1-2 at the hands of Argentina, continued to maintain the pressure on the Pakistani defence in the second session as well.
Center-forward Shivender joined the party when it mattered and made it 3-1 just six minutes after the start of the second half. Trailing 1-3, the hosts tried hard to force their way into the match but the veteran Dilip Tirkey-led Indian defence stood firm and seemed in no mood to give Malaysia any opportunity of a comeback.
With this victory, India enjoy a 3-0 win-loss record over Malaysia in the event. The Indians last time won against the hosts way back in 1985.
New Zealand pipped Pakistan 2-1 in the third-fourth place play-off match.
Indian captain Sandeep Singh, who stroked in six of India's 12 goals, was declared Player of the Tournament for being the top-scorer of the event as well.
Morale Booster for India
Former hockey Olympians today hailed India's fourth Azlan Shah title triumph that came after a span of 13 years, saying the win will provide the national team with the much-needed boost ahead of future international assignments.
India, who finished runners-up in the event last year losing to Argentina, today defeated hosts Malaysia 3-1 in the finals of the five-nation event in Ipoh, Malaysia to lift the Azlan Shah title for the first time since 1995.
In fast, the eight-time Olympic champions desperately needed the victory to bring the game back on track.
The win was very important. It is a significant achievement by the team and will help them in preparations for future tournaments. It is a morale booster for players. Although the competition this year was not of high standard, yet the win means a lot to the former champions who missed the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
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