Today in his third match Indian hockey team will play against the host Malaysia in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. If you talk about both teams in this tournament, then there are 10 matches. In these, the Indian team won seven and faced defeat in one. Two matches are drawn. India's success rate is 88%. Last time in 2018, India defeated Malaysia by 5-1.
India defeated Japan in the first match
Team India defeated Asian champion Japan 2-0 in the first match. In the second match, South Korea played 1-1 draw. India is at the third place in the table of six teams. At the same time, Malaysia is occupied first place.
Nine years ago, Malaysia defeated India 4-3 in the Guangzhou Asian Games semi-finals. After this, last year, the Malaysian team defeated India in the semi-finals of the Asian Games. Then the Malaysian team won 7-6 in penalty shoots off.
A total of 101 matches have been played between the two teams so far. In these, the Indian team won in 70. Malaysia win in 13 18 left on the draw. India scored 287 goals against Malaysia. At the same time, 127 rounds were against India.
India is currently placed third in the six-team standings with four points after a win and a draw.
South Korea are in the second position with four points, same as India, but they are ahead of the eight-time Olympic gold medalists owing to better goal difference.
Hosts Malaysia is leading the chart with maximum points. In other matches, Japan will play Canada while Poland will be up against South Korea.
Besides, the Indian defence will also have to keep at bay 'Saari brothers' — Fitri and Faizal — especially the latter who has already scored a hat-trick and is currently the leading scorer in the competition with five goals.
But the Indians can take heart from the fact that it is the same Malaysian side which they have thrashed 5-1 at the same venue in the last edition of the tournament in 2018.
All said and done, the Indians would definitely be eyeing a big win against the Malaysians on Tuesday, which would not only bolster their morale but lift them in the points table.
