India's dream of repeating the historic World Cup win of 1975 in Kuala Lumpur at the Bukit Jalil Stadium is over. Playing brilliant hockey in the first half, Malaysia destroyed whatever glimmer of hope India had clung onto by winning 3-2 in a crucial Pool B match at the 10th World Cup on Wednesday.
There was no divine intervention as coach Cedric D'souza prayed for on Tuesday, and Indian skipper Baljit Singh Dhillon missed a stroke in the dying minutes.
In fact, D'souza had to be given a police escort as Indian fans heckled and abused him while he was on his way to the post-match press conference. India, down 0-3 at the break, fought back in the second half and would have equalised but Baljit Dhillon missed a stroke with just nine minutes left.
Finally, time and luck ran out as the depressed Indians trooped out beaten by a better side.
The Malaysians scored through Shankar Shanmugam in the second minute, Keevan Raj in the 19th and Mirnawan Nawawi in the 31st. For India, Daljit Singh Dhillon in the 53rd minute and Prabhjot Singh (57) were the scorers.
Bureau Report