INDIA beat Malaysia 2-1 to claim the top spot in the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan today.
The hosts must now beat South Korea Thursday, to finish No 2 or No 3 on the standings to avoid world No 6 India in the semi-finals.
India took the lead off Rupinder Pal Singh in the 12th minute, But Razie Rahim equalised in the 18th minute.
The match was heading for a draw, but Rupinder Pal scored his 10th goal of the tournament in the 58th minute to hand India full points.
"I am happy with the way they played, but not the result, as we should have shared the spoils with India. Now we need to keep the momentum against South Korea to be placed as highly as possible leading into the semi-finals," said Malaysia coach Stephen van Huizen.
RESULTS: South Korea 4 Japan 3, Malaysia 1 India 2.
THURSDAY: Pakistan v China (6.30pm), Malaysia v South Korea (8.30pm).