Johor Bahru: The Indian junior men’s hockey team started off their VIIIth Sultan of Johor Cup 2018 campaign with a hard fought 2-1 victory against hosts Malaysia in their opening match of the tournament here Saturday. Harmanjit Singh (12th) and Shilanand Lakra (46th) scored the goals for India while Muhammad Zaidi (47th) pulled a goal back for Malaysia.
Indians drew first blood in the 12th minute as Harmanjit deflected a pass from inside the circle to put it past Adrian Albert and give his team their first goal of the tournament. The second quarter belonged to Malaysia as the home team troubled the Indian defence on several occasions by creating opportunities, but failed to convert.
In the third quarter the visitors attacked relentlessly and finally managed to convert their one-goal advantage into two as Shilanand found himself in space inside the circle and finished calmly to make it 2-0 in the 46th minute. But Malaysia responded with an attack of their own in the next minute with Muhammad Zaidi bagging the goal for the hosts as he scored past Indian Goalkeeper Pankaj Rajak to make it 2-1.
With just 13 minutes remaining on the clock, Malaysia stepped up their efforts again and created a few opportunities, but could not find an opening as India defended well. The visitors also had chances to finish off the match, but their resolute defending in the closing stages saw them win all the three points in their opening match of the competition.
India will now face New Zealand in their second match Sunday