Former champions and world heavyweights India are virtually out of contention for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup after they were defeated 3-2 by Argentina on Wednesday. Britain kept their hopes of making Sunday's final alive as they inflicted a 2-1 defeat on table-toppers New Zealand.
--- India on brink after Argentina defeat
--- Britain beat table-toppers Kiwis
In the final match of the day, hosts Malaysia earned their first win of the tournament when they came back from a two-goal deficit to beat Pakistan 3-2. The Pakistanis had taken the lead through Muhammad Umar Bhutta and Shafqat Rasool and looked headed for a convincing win.
But Amir Farid Ahmad Fuzi pulled a goal back in the 35th minute and Faisal Saari equalised soon after. Defender Muhammad Razie Abdul Rahim netted the winner one minute from time for a rare win over the Pakistanis. It was India's third defeat in the tournament, an important warm-up ahead of the London Olympics. The competition also features New Zealand, Britain, South Korea, Pakistan and hosts Malaysia, who are the only team not going to London.
India now have six points from five matches, and their stand-in manager Mohamad Riaz said they were wasteful in front of goal. They face rivals Pakistan on Thursday in Ipoh, and while pride is at stake, their hopes of lifting the trophy look over. "Playing Pakistan has never been easy... Making the final looks like an outside chance, but defeating Pakistan is always important for Indian hockey," Riaz said. In the first half, both teams played listlessly in the blazing afternoon heat until Argentina took the lead in the 37th minute through Matias Paredes, and then Santiago Montelli.
A shell-shocked India redoubled their efforts and were rewarded when Sardar Singh scored with a delightful reverse hit on 49 minutes. But then Argentina punished the sloppy Indian defence again when Gonzalo Peillat converted a penalty corner. India reduced the deficit via a penalty corner but it was too late.
New Zealand were missing two of their key players, midfielders Simon Child and Ryan Archibald, as they went down to a determined Britain. "In hindsight, we picked up some pointers that will help us in our quest for Olympic glory this July," New Zealand coach Shane McLeod said, putting a brave face on defeat. Britain opened the scoring through Ashley Jackson and doubled their advantage through Matt Daly. New Zealand had two penalty corners in the first half but failed twice as Andy Hayward was off form. Hayward finally found the target in the 62nd minute.
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