"Will bring the same fighting attitude against China": Forward Shilanand after India's win over Malaysia in Asia Cup

Rajgir (Bihar) [India], September 4 (ANI): Following a goal in his team's win over Malaysia in the Asia Cup Rajgir, Indian forward Shilanand Lakra hailed the team's win, vowing to bring the same "fighting attitude" and "confidence" against China in their final Super 4s phase match.

The Indian Men's Hockey Team came back from a goal down and stormed over the finish line, defeating Malaysia 4-1, in their second Super 4s game at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium, in the Men's Asia Cup Rajgir, Bihar, on Thursday. It was a landmark day for Captain Harmanpreet Singh as well, as he won his 250th cap for the Indian Men's Hockey Team. For the hosts, the goals came from Manpreet Singh (17'), Sukhjeet Singh (19'), Shilanand Lakra (24'), and Vivek Sagar Prasad (38'). Meanwhile, Shafiq Hassan (2') found the back of the net for Malaysia.

Speaking to ANI about his goal, Shilanand said, "This is a team game. Everyone assists each other. So, if someone assists me, I touch the ball and score a goal. So, it is a good thing. The more we play a team game, the better it will be."

Shilanand also revealed that the plan was to stay "cool and calm" in the D.

"Whoever had the ball, he would face up and see where the option was. So all the players were playing with immense confidence. We will bring confidence in the next match as well. It will be a fight (against China). We will fight too. We will give our 100 per cent. We will show the fighting attitude that we showed today. We will try to show that in the next match," he concluded.

It was Malaysia who got the better of the early exchanges, as they scored with their first attack when Shafiq Hassan (2') found the back of the net. After that, Malaysia dominated possession and continued to maintain the pressure on the hosts. Midway through the first quarter, India, with Dilpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh and co, started to build in attack, but Malaysia continued to hold out. India finished the quarter in the ascendancy, but were yet to find the equaliser. Malaysia led 1-0 after the first quarter.

In the first few minutes of the second quarter, India won five back-to-back penalty corners, and four were thwarted. The fifth penalty corner saw Harmanpreet Singh's shot saved, after which Manpreet Singh (17'), India's most experienced player, pounced on the chance and made it 1-1. The momentum was now with India, and a couple of minutes later Sukhjeet Singh (19') made it 2-1 for the hosts. With the half hour mark around the corner, Dilpreet Singh picked up the ball in the middle of the park and drove it in towards Shilanand Lakra (24'), who deflected it past the goal keeper to make it 3-1. Malaysia did attack in the final phases of the first half, but India's defence kept them at bay, and went into the half-time break with a 3-1 lead.

Early in the third quarter, Malaysia won a penalty corner, and were hoping to reduce the deficit. However, Krishan Bahadur Pathak saved it brilliantly, to help maintain India's lead. The hosts were looking to impose themselves further, and continued to attack. Midway through the quarter, Manpreet set it up for Vivek Sagar Prasad (38'), who promptly made it 4-1. From then on in though, Malaysia started fight back, and put together a few good moves as they went in search of their second goal. However, India's defence held on and ended the quarter with the three-goal lead intact.

Firmly in control of the contest, the Indian Men's Hockey Team dominated possession in the early exchanges of the fourth quarter. Not willing to give in, the Malaysian team kept on attacking but India's defence marshalled by Captain Harmanpreet Singh slammed the door shut on their opponents. India eventually came away with a comfortable 4-1 win on the night.

(ANI)

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