Harmanpreet's hat-trick takes India past Malaysia 4-2, hosts stay unbeaten at Asian Champions Trophy

Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored a hat-trick as India beat Malaysia 4-2 at the men's Asian Champions Trophy in Jalandhar on Sunday. It was the hosts' fourth win in four matches, and they remain the only unbeaten side in the tournament.

The match at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium was level 1-1 at half-time. Malaysia pushed India hard for long spells before the home side pulled away in the second half.

How the goals came

Harmanpreet put India ahead in the third minute with a penalty corner. Malaysia equalised in the 25th minute when Akhimullah Anuar reacted first to a loose ball inside the circle.

Soon after the restart Harmanpreet converted a second penalty corner in the 33rd minute. Sukhjeet Singh scored from open play in the 43rd minute to make it 3-1.

The captain completed his hat-trick in the 58th minute. A drag-flick struck a Malaysian defender and India were given a penalty stroke, which Harmanpreet scored. Shello Silverius pulled one back with a field strike in the final minute, but it changed nothing. Harmanpreet was named player of the match.

Afterwards the captain said the team's only target was to win the title at home. He also praised the support of the Jalandhar crowd.

Table and the road to the semi-finals

The win took India to 12 points from four games, with a goal difference of plus 21. Earlier they had beaten Bangladesh 13-0, China 5-2 and Japan 4-1. Malaysia are second on nine points, ahead of Japan and South Korea.

All four teams have already booked semi-final places, while China and Bangladesh are out. That leaves the last round of league matches on Monday to decide the seedings. India play South Korea, and Malaysia meet Japan.

For Indian fans the result matters because it keeps Harmanpreet's side on course for a home title. The team has scored freely so far. The next two days will test whether that form holds up against stronger defences in the knockout rounds.