Azlan Shah: Great Britain overtakes India after beating Malaysia

Great Britain, with seven points from three outings, displaced India at the second spot in the points table. Defending champion Australia is atop the table.

Japan's Manabu Yamashita (left) controls the ball during the men's field hockey match against New Zealand's Sam Lane at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.

Great Britain posted a facile 1-0 victory over host Malaysia to move into the second spot in the table in the 26th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup here on Tuesday.

Great Britain, with seven points from three outings, levelled defending champion Australia, which beat India 3-1 in another round-robin fixture.

Australia retained the top spot in the standings due to its superior goal difference.

India squanders lead to lose 1-3 to Australia

New Zealand’s 3-2 victory over Japan brought it at par with India on four points. But India has a better goal difference.

Great Britain’s match-winner came from a penalty stroke conversion by Alan Forsyth in the 26th minute.

Japan and Malaysia have a point each, but the former has a better goal difference.

For Japan, Shota Yamada converted two penalty corners on Tuesday. It was Yamada’s penalty corner flick that gave Japan an early lead in the ninth minute.

New Zealand drew parity in the 18th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Kane Russell, who also converted a penalty stroke two minutes into the second session to put the Black Sticks ahead.

Sam Lane’s strike in open play rounded off the New Zealand scoring in the 35th minute, but Japan reduced the margin with Yamada’s second penalty corner conversion in the 50th minute.