Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey 2025: Dominant Indians beat Malaysia 4-3 in Ipoh

The Indian men's hockey team defeated Malaysia 4-3 in their third Azlan Shah Cup group match on Wednesday (November 26). In a pulsating encounter that was dominated by the Indians for the most part, Malaysia managed to score with the few chances that presented themselves to make the match seem closer than it should have been.

The fearsome Faizal Saari justified his return to the Malaysian side with a brace, his second of the competition, backed up by some impressive play, although his brother Fitri also got on the scoresheet.

For the Indians, Karthi Selvam and Sukhjeet Singh scored from open play, while Amit Rohidas scored from the top of the circle. Sanjay scored the winner with a penalty kick.

Karthi Selvam gave India the lead in the 7th minute with a well-directed pass from Sukhjeet Singh, who collected the ball after he had beaten the referee midway through an Indian attack.

Faizal Saari leveled things up for Malaysia in the 13th minute with a powerful but stoppable curling strike that went past the defender at the post and past the goalkeeper.

Abhishek collected Sukhjeet Singh in front of goal, who made no mistake from close range in the 21st minute after Malaysia goalkeeper Othman Hafizuddin had stopped an earlier Indian attack.

The Indians made 22 penetrations into the circle before half-time, as opposed to Malaysia, who only entered the Indian circle three times.

Fitri Saari managed to beat Pawan with a close range effort, completely against the course, in the 36th minute.

A brilliant tomahawk from Abhishek was played clear by the keeper, but the Indians were awarded a penalty corner, which Amit Rohidas converted in the 39th minute. The Sundargarh defender flicked the ball forward before unleashing a curling effort into the corner of the Malaysian goal, allowing India to regain the lead.

Captain Jalil Marhan scored Malaysia's third goal in the 45th minute off a penalty kick after Karthi Selvam had been shown a yellow card.

India were awarded a penalty kick in the 53rd minute for interference in the middle of a set shot. Sanjay scored from the spot which enabled the Indians to seal a crucial victory in the Azlan Shah Cup.

Belgium top the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup points table

Belgium are at the top of the Azlan Shah Cup standings with 7 points from 3 matches and a +5 goal difference. The Red Lions thrashed Korea 6-2 earlier today after beating India 3-2 on Tuesday. New Zealand also have 7 points from 3 games and are second with a goal difference of +4.

The Black Sticks picked up their second straight win, defeating Canada 4-2 after defeating Korea 3-1.

India, who lack key players like Harmanpreet Singh, Hardik Singhi Mandeep Singh in the Azlan Shah Cup, he is now third in the points table with 6 points from 3 matches.