Saba Anjum's brace enabled India edge past Malaysia 2-1 in the opening match of Indira Gandhi Gold Cup women's hockey tournament in Delhi on Saturday.
It was a game of missed opportunities for India as they could convert only one of the eight penalty-corners earned. Besides, they also wasted a penalty stroke.
The hosts were also disorganized in attack and fumbled repeatedly in front of the rival goal.
The Malaysians, who held India 3-3 in their last meeting in Singapore, showed good defensive technique to thwart India's attempts in the penalty-corner drills.
India showed promise at the start of the game and made some fine moves in the first 15 minutes. Anjum put the team ahead in the sixth minute, trapping the ball in front of the goal and sending it past the Malaysian goalkeeper.
The Malaysians went on the offensive after India wasted a penalty-corner in the 18th minute, but captain Helen Mary effected a brilliant save.
After Malaysian captain Norfaraha Hashim levelled the score through a penalty-corner in the 22 minute, Anjum scored again in the 24th, converting India's fourth penalty-corner.
The Indian forwards continued to fumble in the second session and wasted a good chance to increase their goal tally when Jasjeet Kaur sent a penalty stroke above the post in the 61st minute.
India's coach, M K Kaushik, was disappointed with the team's performance.
"There were so many missed opportunities. The girls panicked when taking penalty-corners; a penalty stroke was also missed, so we are not happy with the performance," he said.
"They played a good defensive hockey. We need to play attacking hockey and not leave much gap in the midfield as we did today."
The Malaysians were satisfied with their performance despite the loss.
"Our defence line played well and we saved many penalty-corners. We made some good moves but execution was a problem," said C R Fenner, coach of the Malaysian team.
