India have never won successive Asian Games gold medals. A victory against Malaysia would therefore give the team a chance to create history while also securing Olympic qualification.
But India will need to raise their game after a difficult semifinal against arch-rivals Pakistan.
India survived Pakistan scare
India looked firmly in control after taking a 3-0 lead against Pakistan in Thursday’s semifinal. But they allowed their opponents back into the contest as Pakistan fought back to level the score at 3-3.
With the match heading towards a shootout, Abhishek scored the decisive goal in the final minute of regulation time to give India a dramatic 4-3 victory.
India also missed several penalty-corner opportunities during the match. The comeback by Pakistan will give the defending champions plenty to think about ahead of the final.
With only a day’s gap between the semifinal and the gold-medal match, recovery, composure and attention to detail will be crucial.
Malaysia unbeaten so far
Malaysia will enter the final with an unbeaten record at the Asian Games. They have won all five of their matches and secured their place in the final after beating South Korea 2-1 in a closely fought semifinal.
The result took Malaysia to their second Asian Games final in the last three editions and showed their ability to stay composed under pressure.
