Dhaka is hosting one of the most interesting Asia Cup Hockey tournament ever. Nobody would have predicted how interesting the race to final in 2nd round of #AsiaCup2017 could get. 4 teams played 2 matches each against each other and still today while playing the last matches all 4 have a clear chance of either being out with a loss or in with a win. Only India has comparatively better position as even a draw can get it in. But, then it must remember that a loss may knock it out of the race to final. First time aspirant Malaysia has certainly made the calculations tricky. For the record, all the past 9 finals of Asia Cup has been played among only three teams: South Korea, Pakistan and India.
Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2017: Schedule and Results
Even Malaysia can afford to be in just with a draw, but then India must defeat Pakistan.
2-time defending champion and overall 4 time champion South Korea needs just a win even if its by a solitary goal.
3-time champion Pakistan is not in with just a win. It must win with
—at least 3-goals margin (if Korea vs Malaysia produce a winner).
—just a win (if Korea vs Malaysia ends in draw)
1st-time final aspirant Malaysia needs
–a win to reach finals on own
–a draw (but then Pakistan must lose to India)
2-time champion India
-a draw secures final
-a loss by lesser than 3 goals keeps them afloat
-a heavy loss by more than 5 goals will certainly knock them out of race even if Malaysia and Korea play a draw
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