The Indian men's hockey team defeated Malaysia 4-3 in their third pool match of the Azlan Shah Cup on Wednesday (November 26). In a pulsating encounter that was dominated by the Indians for the most part, Malaysia managed to score from the few opportunities that came their way to make the contest appear closer than it should have been.The redoubtable Faizal Saari justified his return to the Malaysian side with a drag-flick goal, his second of the competition, backed up with a few stunning moves, even as his brother Fitri also got onto the scoresheet.For the Indians, Karthi Selvam and Sukhjeet Singh scored from open play, while Amit Rohidas struck the target from the top of the circle. Sanjay scored the winner off a penalty stroke.Karthi Selvam gave India the lead in the 7th minute off a well-directed pass from Sukhjeet Singh, who picked up the ball after it had struck the umpire midway through an Indian attack.Faizal Saari levelled things up for Malaysia in the 13th minute off a powerful but stoppable drag-flick that slipped past the defender at the goalpost and the goalkeeper,Abhishek picked up Sukhjeet Singh in front of goal, who made no mistake from close range in the 21st minute after Malaysian goalkeeper Othman Hafizuddin had come up with a save off an earlier Indian attack.The Indians manufactured 22 circle penetrations before half-time as opposed to the Malaysians, who entered the Indian circle only thrice.Fitri Saari managed to beat Pawan with a diving effort from close range, totally against the run of play, in the 36th minute.A scintillating tomahawk from Abhishek was played out of harm's way by the goalkeeper, but the Indians did earn a penalty corner, which was converted by Amit Rohidas in the 39th minute. The defender from Sundargarh tapped the ball forward before unleashing a drag flick directed towards the corner of the Malaysian goal, enabling India to regain the lead.Captain Jalil Marhan then scored Malaysia's third goal in the 45th minute off a penalty corner rebound after Karthi Selvam had picked up a yellow card.India was awarded a penalty stroke in the 53rd minute for interference in the midst of a goal-bound shot. Sanjay scored from the spot, enabling the Indians to seal a crucial victory in the Azlan Shah Cup.Belgium on top of the heap on the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup points tableIndia are now third in the points table at Ipoh - Source: Hockey IndiaBelgium are on top of the Azlan Shah Cup pool standings with 7 points from 3 matches, and a goal difference of +5. The Red Lions thrashed Korea 6-2 earlier today after having beaten India 3-2 on Tuesday. New Zealand also have 7 points from 3 games and is second with a goal difference of +4.The Black Sticks registered their second straight win, defeating Canada 4-2 after having beaten Korea 3-1.India, who are without key players like Harmanpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, and Mandeep Singh at the Azlan Shah Cup, now sit third on the points table with 6 points from 3 matches.