It had been a frustrating tournament so far for India but they seemed to have struck some rhythm on Thursday in Rajgir. The hosts came back from a goal down to defeat Malaysia 4-1 in their second Super 4s game in the Men’s Asia Cup Rajgir Bihar 2025. For India, the goals came from Manpreet Singh (17’), Sukhjeet Singh (19’), Shilanand Lakra (24’), and Vivek Sagar Prasad (38’). Meanwhile Shafiq Hassan (2’) found the back of the net for Malaysia very early but India, after a poor opening 15 minutes, turned things around impressively. The result is a big boost for India’s chances to reach the final especially after a wasteful performance against Korea on Wednesday that ended in a 2-2 draw.
What’s the Super 4s points standings now?
After India’s 4-1 win and China’s superb 3-0 dismantling of defending champions Korea earlier in the evening, they sit at No 1 and No 2 respectively with one match each to go for the four teams. Malaysia face Korea on Saturday at 5 pm IST while India take on China at 7.30 pm IST to conclude the Super 4s. The top two teams at the end of these two matches will reach the title clash on Sunday while the teams placed 3rd and 4th will meet in a playoff for bronze.
What must India do to reach final?
Harmanpreet Singh’s side could have been in a spot of bother had they dropped points again on Thursday, but a win against Malaysia keeps them as frontrunners. A win against China on Saturday will guarantee India a spot in the final as no other team can reach 7 points. Even a draw will be sufficient, as only one of Malaysia or Korea can then overtake India.
But if India lose against China, the result of the penultimate match comes into the picture. If India lose after Malaysia win, then the latter will join China on 6 points and compete in the final. If India lose after Malaysia vs Korea ends in a draw, then goal difference comes into the picture, so India would have to avoid a heavy defeat. Korea will have to win by a big margin against Malaysia, if they are to eliminate India with their goal difference, in what appears to be the least possible scenario.
What about the rest of the teams?
Like India, China wouldn’t mind a draw in the final match, but only provided Korea and Malaysia ends in a draw. China have been the surprise package of the tournament but to keep matters in their own hands, they’d need a win against India if either Korea or Malaysia win the first match outright, especially the latter who have a better goal difference than Korea. On the same note, Malaysia’s impressive campaign so far will depend on them beating Korea and then hope India do them a favour later in the night. For defending champions Korea, the best bet is to beat Malaysia and hope for India to beat China. If Korea win by a big enough goal difference, they stand an outside of pipping China if they and India are held to a draw.
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