Azlan Shah Cup: India take on Malaysia in must-win tie

Indian hockey players

Indian players celebrate a goal against Great Britian recently

A win away from final, the Indian hockey team would like to guard themselves against complacency when they square off with hosts Malaysia in what can turn out to be a tricky encounter in the Azlan Shah Cup, here today.

With Australia needing just a draw against rank outsiders Japan, India are aware that a slip up against Malaysia can leave them stranded and Great Britain can overtake them in the round-robin league standings. India only have a one-goal edge over Great Britain, which can change quickly after the Britons have played New Zealand in their last league outing.

India will have the advantage of knowing what is required of them in the last fixture, but if a lot of goals are required, then the strikers will have to get their acts together. The Indians have been dependent upon their penalty corner specialist to score goals until now.