DHAKA: India stamped their mark in Asian hockey yet again, but Malaysia showed the world that they are just one step behind, and in hot pursuit.
Coach Stephen van Huizen's men lacked big match exposure when they went down 2-1 to India in the Asia Cup in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Sunday.
Also, three players who had yet to fully recover were included in the Asia Cup squad, and even though they played gallantly, they were not their normal selves.
That's all that separated both the teams in the sizzling finale.
For the record, Malaysia had beaten India 3-2 in the quarter-finals of the World League in London to qualify for the 2018 World Cup on merit, without any injured, or laggards in the team.
India are now holders of all three Asian titles, a feat achieved by none before.
They are the proud holders of the 2014 Asian Games title, the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy and now, the Asia Cup. A treble which earns them the crown of Hockey Kings of Asia.
Malaysia finished fourth in 2014, bronze in 2016 and silver in Dhaka.
Showing a vast improvement inside three years, Malaysia's performance demonstrate that they might just pull off a surprise in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.
That is the prize van Huizen and his men must now target – to become No 1 in Asia and also to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics two years from now.
Rank-wise, World No 6 India had a tough time taming No 12 Malaysia.
"We have the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Cup in a packed calendar next year. Not to forget the Azlan Shah Cup as well.
"Lots of hockey will be played, and the main aim is to qualify for the Olympics, which we have been missing from for a long time," said van Huizen.
The last time Malaysia played in the Olympics was back in 2000 in Sydney, and it will be a good 20 years if we make the cut for Tokyo by becoming the Asian Games champions.
van Huizen had no choice but to include three players who had yet fully recovered from injuries. Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin (fractured finger), skipper Shukri Mutalib (calf) and Nabil Fiqri (hamstring) did the nation proud.
Even though the team have and are still receiving praise from all their fans, officials and administrators, the truth has to be told to rectify a few chinks which have been bogging the team down.
At least three players did not carry their weight in the competition, having to be carried on the shoulders of others in the Asia Cup.
This weighed the team down, and sometimes created dangerous spots on the field which the attacking team used to score goals.
Those in hockey circles know who the three are, and the management can do a performance analysis to certify this fact.
Once proven statistically, they need to be replaced with better legs, for to become Asian Champions one needs commitment from everybody on the pitch and passengers should not be welcome.
Fitness (check), Skills (check), Attitude (check), Determination (check), Teamwork (check), Ambition (check).
Just eject the laggards, and Malaysia will be in full flight to become Asia's No 1.