KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12: Argentina finally lived up to their reputation as they defeated Malaysia 2-1 in the Champions Challenge Wednesday.

With the win, the South Americans joined the previously undefeated Malaysians at the top of the standings with nine points.

It was a fast and furious match with both sides playing solidly. Malaysia had the better of the first half chances and only lady luck denied a healthy lead at the break.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Logan Raj finished off a three-man move to shoot from the top of the semicircle, his attempt whizzed past Pablo Moreira in the Argentine goal.

The South Americans turned on the style in the second half and duly found their equaliser in the 46th minute when Jorge Lombi’s reverse stick hit finally defeated Roslan Jamaluddin in the Malaysian goal.

Roslan was, however, easily the man of the match as he made numerous saves to thwart the South Americans.

But he was powerless to stop Lombi from scoring the winner with just a minute remaining.

Meanwhile, India finally found their scoring touch as they thrashed Japan 3-0 in an earlier match.

India’s last match is against Argentina on Thursday and a win over the South Americans will give the Asian giants their ticket to the tournament’s finale.

Japan now have nothing but pride to play for after their third defeat from four matches.

“The boys started the match defensively but we were a different team in the second period.

Cedric d’Souza. There is immerse pressure on myself and the team to do well here and I’m glad we came through with the three points today.

India had their first look at the Japanese goal in the 11th minute when they earned a penalty corner and, although Baljit Singh Dhillion’s shot sounded the board, it was not given.

Just as it looked like Japan had survived the opening 35 minutes unscathed, they were undone by an unlucky deflection in the last second of the first half.

Deepak deflected a shot off a defender’s stick, which looped over Jun and fell nicely into goal as India finally got the goal their attack play deserved.

The goal was just what the doctor ordered for India, who came out for the second half on fire.

With Dhanaraj Pillay running havoc down both flanks, the former world and Olympic champions needed only six more minutes before increasing their lead.

A long ball out from defence found Danaraj who weaved past three defenders before supplying a cross to Prabhjot Singh that left the Japanese defenders napping.

Prabhjot was on target at close range as the Indians doubled their lead. It could have been three in the 46th minute but Baljit, who found himself with only Jun to beat, hit his shot straight into the keepers pads.

The way India were playing, it was apparent that they had goals on their mind. They managed to repel Japanese attacks with ease while their forays into their opponents’ half were becoming more dangerous.

The third goal was inevitable and six minutes from time albeit in controversial fashion.

A long ball out from defence by Thirumal Valagan’s was brilliantly collected by Deepak.

He ran at the Japanese defence and his attempt to centre the ball to Dhanaraj was diverted into goal by the unlucky Atsushi Takehara.

The Malaysian umpire, Paramjit Singh, signaled for a goal even though it appeared that the cross was made outside the semicircle and should not have counted.

Standings

P W D L F A Pts

Malaysia 4 3 0 1 6 3 9

Argentina 4 3 0 1 9 6 9

India 4 2 1 1 7 4 7

South Africa 4 2 1 1 8 7 7

Japan 4 1 0 3 4 8 3

Belgium 4 0 0 4 1 7 0

—AFP

Malaysia 1 Argentina 2

India 3 Japan 0