India on Sunday ended its decade-old wait for continental triumph as it defeated Malaysia 2-1 in a close final to clinch its third Asia Cup hockey title. After winning the Cup in Kuala Lumpur in 2003 and Chennai in 2007, India scored off field goals this year through Ramandeep Singh and Lalit Upadhyay. Gutsy Malaysia put a brave show, and its efforts bloomed as Shahril Saabah pulled a goal back. Ranked sixth in the world, India was in for a nervous final 10 minutes, but the defence did just enough to hold on.
Singh opened the scoring with a tap-in from a close range in the third minute while Upadhyay doubled India’s advantage in the 29th to put the team in a comfortable position going into the half-time break. Indian skipper and captain Manpreet Singh minced no words in underlining the significance of the victory for Indian hockey. He said, “We needed this win. We didn't have a great performance in the World Hockey League Semifinals. But after that, we told ourselves that this is in the past and we have to give our best in the next tournament and that was our goal in Asia Cup. In the camp, we were clear that we have to win this tournament at all costs. Asia Cup is very important in the run-up to the World Cup next year. So, we are very happy to have achieved what we aimed for.”
The victory was only sweeter as they beat a team that has beaten them twice in two big tournaments earlier this year. When asked if this settled India's score, Manpreet said, “Our only aim in the tournament was to give our best, regardless of the opposition. As professionals, we want to win every game against every opportunity. Yes, the final was a do-or-die situation because you don't get another shot at that. And so to beat them was quite sweet.”
Recently-appointed coach Sjoerd Marijne said the team improvised its defensive tactics quite well in its triumph in the Asia Cup final. “I was a bit worried when the score was 2-1 and strange goals can happen in last four or five minutes. I am really happy how they (the India players) played, they changed the way we defend in the end and that helped us clinch the final,” Marijne said. He guided the team to title triumph in his maiden assignment.
As glorious as the victory is, a bigger challenge awaits for the boys in December, when India will play the Hockey World League (HWL) Finals at home. Marijne said, “As the highest ranked side in the tournament, we were expected to win here and so this result is in keeping with our position in Asia. That it came without some senior players is a good thing because the internal competition we have now is always good.” Manpreet said, “We know the HWL will be different and we are prepared for it. This win is great but now we will get back and regroup after a short break and get going for the next tournament. We hope to keep the momentum going and keep improving, especially since the next one year is going to be tough.”
