Showing elegance and efficacy in Sunday's (12th April) summit clash of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament, India regained the glittering cup after a gap of 13 years by defeating Malaysia 3-1. This was India’s fourth cup win. Earlier, India had won the cup in 1985, 1991 and 1995.  For his splendid performance throughout the tournament Indian skipper Sandeep Singh was adjudged as the player of the tournament while Arjun Halappa was declared the man of the match.

 

Initially, it was Malaysia that had the territorial advantage. But a well coordinated move involving Tushar Khandekar and Prabhjot Singh helped Halappa to score the first goal. But the joy did not last long as Aslan Misron leveled it by finding the net. India surged again from a move initiated by Ignace Tirkey which resulted in a goal by Prabhjot Singh. At halftime India led by 2-1.

 

Soon after the break, India extended the lead when Shivendra scored the third goal to give India an unassailable lead. Meanwhile, in the third place play-off match New Zealand beat Pakistan by 2-1.  All the three goals came in the first half.