India wary of resilient Malaysia ahead of Asian Games hockey final in Gifu

India will take on Malaysia in the men's hockey final of the Asian Games at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Saturday, with India the clear favourite based on rankings and recent past. Both sides arrive at the title match having progressed unbeaten through the tournament so far.

The two teams last met at the Asian Games eight years ago, when India entered the 2018 edition as hot favourites, steamrolled every opposition and then went down in a sudden death shoot-out to settle for bronze. Since then, India has won every one of their nine matches and two Olympic medals.

Both teams reached the final after nervy semifinals: India against Pakistan and Malaysia against Korea. Each side will be keen to prove the recent hiccups were an aberration as they contest continental gold.

India received a wake-up call in their semifinal, losing their shape, tempo and control in the final 20 minutes after leading 3-0. It was a lesson in what can happen when teams start celebrating too early or assume a result before the final whistle.

Malaysia had to dig deep to find a way past a stubborn Korean defence, relying on a penalty corner and a penalty stroke to reach the title match. They will be hoping to avoid a repeat of late-match vulnerabilities.

Malaysia has never won the marquee continental event, while India has never successfully defended its title. It remains to be seen which of those records will be broken in Gifu.

Both teams will be vying to seal that precious ticket to the LA Olympics. Only one of them will be successful.