India at Asian Games 2018: Hockey dream suffers 'sudden death' as champions lose to Malaysia

India's hope of securing another gold medal in men's hockey suffered a 'sudden death' on Thursday. The defending champions went down to Malaysia in a penalty shootout the semifinals at Asian Games 2018. 

It was a heartbreaking end to Indian men's hockey campaign which saw them score 76 goals during the group stage. 

Experienced SV Sunil missed the 10th attempt in the shootout after both teams were locked 2-2 in regulation time. Sunil failed to find a clear path to take a shot and then hit his shot wide from the rebound. 

There were tears of joy as Malaysian camp celebrated the huge win.

Indian were guilty (again) of letting the opposition score in the dying minutes. They lacked positive approach and were punished as as Malaysia came back twice to equalise during the alloted time. Malaysia's second goal came with just over a minute left on the clock.

India took the lead through penalty corner specialist Harmanpreet Singh in the 33rd minute but the Malaysians equalised six minutes later through Faizal Sari.

India needed just a minute to regain the lead with Varun Kumar converting an indirect penalty corner. 

It looked like India would hang on to the lead but the Muhammad Razie scored off a penalty corner to force a shootout.

The goalkeepers, India's PR Sreejesh and Malaysia’s Kumar Subramiam, managed to save three of the five attempts in the shootout. 

Both teams then converted next four shots in the sudden death. 

Tajuddin Tengku Ahmad converting the next one for Malaysia before Sunil missed his chance. 

The loss may cost double as India also lost their best chance of earning a direct berth for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.