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India set date with Pakistan for hockey title clash
India beat Malaysia 6-4 to set a date with Pakistan in the men's hockey final at the Afro-Asian Games.
India just about managed to breast the tape and reach the hockey final of the Afro-Asian Games on Wednesday in a nerve-wracking match.
The hosts lived dangerously and came perilously close to losing to the dodgy Malaysians before snapping up a 6-4 victory in the tie-breaker.
The Malaysians have never been easy customers, and on Wednesday, they looked set to upset India’s applecart. But in a match, which lasted the full distance, India prevailed to set up a title clash with arch-rivals Pakistan.
Earlier, Pakistan defeated a jaded South Korea 2-0 to once again set up a clash with India in the Games.
The Indian forward-line worked just fine and there were not less than half a dozen attacks on the rival citadel but the dividends evaded them as the stout
However, it was the dapper Arjun Halappa who finally slotted home on a pass from Sandeep Michael in the 21st minute.
India’s joy was short-lived as Chua Boon Huat equalised a minute later through the second penalty corner.
With the deadlock continuing at the end of regulation time, and then into extra time, India finally were shown light at the end of the tunnel when Chun Boon
Huat’s stroke in the tie-breaker was palmed away by Devesh Chauhan.
