Harmanpreet hat-trick takes India past Malaysia 4-2 in Jalandhar

A Harmanpreet hat-trick helped India beat Malaysia 4-2 in the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Jalandhar on Sunday, November 1. The captain scored twice from penalty corners and once from a penalty stroke as the hosts recorded their fourth successive victory.

The result left India unbeaten and gave Malaysia their first loss of the competition. Japan and Korea joined the two teams in the semifinal line-up after the day's other matches.

India stay unbeaten as semifinal field is settled

India went ahead in the third minute when Harmanpreet converted a penalty corner. The hosts created further opportunities but could not immediately extend their advantage, with one of the captain's attempts striking the crossbar.

Malaysia responded by putting pressure on the Indian defence and earning penalty corners. Goalkeeper Krishan Pathak made important saves, but Akhimullah Anuar eventually equalised before the interval, leaving the sides level at 1-1.

Harmanpreet restored India's lead in the 33rd minute with another penalty-corner conversion. Sukhjeet Singh then scored from open play to give the hosts a two-goal cushion during the third quarter.

The Harmanpreet hat-trick was completed in the 58th minute when he converted a penalty stroke. Shello Silverius scored Malaysia's second goal near the end, reducing the margin without changing the outcome.

India had been without striker Abhishek after he was injured during the warm-up. Despite the win, coach Craig Fulton and Harmanpreet acknowledged that the side needed to improve its finishing after creating chances.

Elsewhere, Korea defeated Bangladesh 5-0, with Son Dain scoring three times and Park Geunwoo twice. Japan and China finished level at 2-2, with both Japanese goals arriving in the 48th minute.

India are scheduled to play Korea on Monday in their remaining league match before the semifinals move to Mohali.

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