India beats Malaysia 4-2 to secure Asian Champions Trophy semifinal

India defeated Malaysia 4-2 in the Asian Champions Trophy on Sunday, extending its unbeaten run to four matches and confirming a place in the semifinals. Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored a hat-trick as India maintained its position at the top of the standings with 12 points from four games. Harmanpreet opened the scoring in the third minute with a penalty-corner drag-flick. Malaysia equalised through Akhimullah Anuar in the 25th minute, but Harmanpreet restored India’s lead after the break with another penalty-corner conversion. Sukhjeet Singh made it 3-1 in the 43rd minute, finishing a move that began with Hardik Singh winning possession and setting up the attack. Harmanpreet completed his hat-trick by converting a penalty stroke late in the match. Malaysia scored again through Silverius in the closing seconds. The hat-trick comprised two penalty-corner goals and the penalty stroke. A match account described Harmanpreet’s tournament total after the game as both six and eight goals, so neither tally is included here. India entered the match having already qualified for the semifinals after wins over Bangladesh, China and Japan. Its 4-1 victory over Japan on Friday followed a...