The 2019 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, the 28th edition of this prestigious hockey tournament, took place in Ipoh, Malaysia, from March 23rd to 30th. Featuring six competitive teams—India, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Poland, and South Korea—the tournament saw intense action on the field. India, a five-time champion, delivered a strong performance throughout the event, showcasing skill and determination. After an impressive campaign, they reached the final, where they faced South Korea in a thrilling showdown. Despite their best efforts, India finished as runners-up, marking yet another commendable run in the tournament’s history. Now, let’s take a recap of the matches.
India’s Matches: A Game-by-Game Recap
1. India vs Japan (23rd March 2019) – Won 2-0
India started their campaign on a high note with a 2-0 victory against Japan, the Asian Games gold medallists. Varun Kumar opened the scoring with a penalty corner in the 24th minute. Later, Simranjeet Singh sealed the win with a diving field goal in the 55th minute, assisted by captain Manpreet Singh. This win set the tone for India’s strong performance in the tournament.
2. India vs South Korea (24th March 2019) – Draw 1-1
In their second match, India faced South Korea. After a dominant start, Mandeep Singh scored in the 28th minute, giving India the lead. However, a last-minute penalty corner by South Korea’s Jang Jonghyun in the 60th minute resulted in a 1-1 draw. Despite the draw, India showed great promise and determination.
3. India vs Malaysia (26th March 2019) – Won 4-2
India continued their winning streak with a 4-2 victory against the host nation, Malaysia. Sumit Kumar scored the opening goal in the 17th minute, followed by another goal from Varun Kumar in the 31st minute. Despite Malaysia’s efforts to make a comeback, Mandeep Singh scored the final goal, securing India’s win and taking them to the top of the table.
4. India vs Canada (27th March 2019) – Won 7-3
India delivered a spectacular performance against Canada, winning 7-3. Mandeep Singh was the star of the match, scoring a hat-trick (20th, 27th, and 29th minutes). Other goals came from Varun Kumar, Amit Rohidas, Vivek Sagar Prasad, and Nilakanta Sharma. This victory ensured India’s place in the final.
5. India vs Poland (29th March 2019) – Won 10-0
India dominated their match against Poland with a massive 10-0 victory. This win showcased India’s attacking prowess and set the stage for the final against South Korea.
The Final: India vs South Korea (30th March 2019) – Lost 2-4 in Penalty
Shootout
The final was a nail-biting contest. India took the lead in the 9th minute with a goal by Simranjeet Singh. However, South Korea equalized in the 47th minute through a penalty stroke converted by Jang Jonghyun. The match ended 1-1 in regulation time, leading to a penalty shootout. Unfortunately, India lost 2-4 in the shootout, with only Birendra Lakra and Varun Kumar scoring for India.
Final Result:
India put up a fantastic fight in the 2019 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, finishing as the runners-up after an intense final against South Korea, who claimed the championship. Malaysia secured third place, delivering a strong performance in front of their home crowd. India’s efforts and determination throughout the tournament were commendable, making their journey to the final truly impressive.
Conclusion
The 2019 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup was a testament to India’s growing strength in international hockey. While the team couldn’t clinch the title, their unbeaten run until the final was commendable. The tournament provided valuable experience for the young squad, and their performance was a source of pride for Indian hockey fans. With such talent and determination, the future of Indian hockey looks bright!
