Women’s Hockey5s Asia Cup: India beat Malaysia in semis and qualify for World Cup

The Indian women’s hockey team entered the final of the Women’s Asian Hockey 5s World Cup Qualifier after defeating Malaysia 9-5 in Salalah, Oman on Monday. For India, Navjot Kaur (7’, 10, 17’), Monika Dipi Toppo (22’), Mahima Choudhary (14’), Mariana Kujur (9’, 12’) and Jyoti (21’, 26’) were on target. For Malaysia, Zati Muhamad (4’, 5’), Dian Nazeri (10’, 20’) and Aziz Zafirah (16’) were on target.

Despite India’s strong start, it was Malaysia that broke the deadlock and took the lead through Muhamad after she successfully converted the challenge goal. A minute later, Malaysia doubled their lead through Muhamad again, scoring a fine field goal. India pulled one back through captain Navjot Kaur’s strike in the seventh minute.

In-form Kujur then flawlessly converted the challenge goal to level the scores. With both teams constantly creating threatening attacks, Malaysia regained the lead through Nazeri in the tenth minute. India immediately counter-attacked and scored two goals, courtesy Navjot Kaur and Kujur, in quick succession to take the lead. With a minute remaining in the first half, India extended their lead through Mahima Choudhary. At the end of the first half, India were leading Malaysia by 5-3.

Both teams came out firing in the...

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