India eye final berth in crunch game against Malaysia in the SA Shah Cup

AFTER A SCINTILLATING VICTORY AGAINST PAKISTAN and a hard fought loss to New Zealand, India take on Malaysia with an eye on the Finals tomorrow at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
 
India are currently third in the standings, two points behind New Zealand who have finished all their games in the round robin stage. World Champions Australia have already qualified for the final to be played on Saturday with 15 points from five successive wins.
 
The task is simple. Win and India are through to the finals. For the hosts, qualifying for the Final is much harder. Malaysia need to defeat India by seven goals to earn a place in the final. A victory over India will draw them level with New Zealand’s points tally.
 
The last meeting between India and Malaysia was in the World League Semi Finals in Antwerp last year. India’s 3-2 victory shattered Malaysia’s hopes for Olympic qualification.
 

“We are looking to get to the Final, and for that we need to produce a good game against a team that will have the home crowd support,” Chief Coach Roelant Oltmans said.

“Malaysia have played good hockey throughout the tournament, but have been unlucky with the results. It will be a tough game, one we look forward to.”

India take on Malaysia at 18:05 pm on Friday, 15 April 2016.