- Defending champions India have lost the men’s hockey semi-final to Malaysia after a penalty shoot-out.
- The score was tied at 2-2 after regulation time.
- Before the loss, India were unbeaten at the 2018 Asian Games, scoring a record-breaking 76 goals.
- India topped Pool A and Malaysia finished second in Pool B, behind Pakistan.
India Lose After Shoot-Out
Defending champions India have crashed out of the Asian Games men's hockey competition after a 6-7 loss to lower-ranked Malaysia via penalty shoot-off in the semi-finals.
The match went into shoot-off and then sudden death after both teams were locked 2-2 after regulation 60 minutes.
India converted two out of their six penalty corners through Harmanpreet Singh (33rd minute) and Varun Kumar (40th minute) while Malaysia's goals came from the sticks of Faizal Saari (24th) and Muhammad Razie Rahim (59th minute).
In the shoot-off, India were wasteful as only Akashdeep Singh and Harmanpreet scored while India captain PR Sreejesh inflicted three good saves to deny the Malaysians and take the match into sudden death.
In the sudden death, the Indians played catch-up and the Malaysians were clinical with their efforts. Finally, S V Sunil faltered in the fifth attempt, handing Malaysia a famous win and dashing India's title hopes and a direct entry into the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
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Shoot-Out: India 6 - 7 Malaysia
SV Sunil misses his shot and India are out the running for the gold medal.
The defending champions had a 2-1 lead in the semi-final but conceded the equalised in the last 5 minutes of regulation time.
A shoot-off followed and SV Sunil’s miss means India will now fight for the bronze on Saturday.
Shoot-Out: India 5 - 6 Malaysia
Faizal Saari scores and it’s upto India once again.