Malaysia’s Speedy Tigers got off their show with one of its best ever performance on the international stage only to fall behind to a 4-5 defeat against former world champions Pakistan in the 30th edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh tonight.
Muhamad Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal, who scored 32 goals for Tenaga Nasional Berhad in the 2024 MHL, surprised Roelant Oltmans’ Pakistan with a hat-trick that brought the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium into a roar as the host celebrated a 3-1 lead going into the fourth quarter.
The Speedy Tigers were near the top of their game against the green shirts despite parading a new-look outfit under the care of newly appointed national team head coach Sarjit Singh in front of an estimated 5,000 fans.
The last time the Malaysians played the Pakistanis was at the FIH Olympics qualifying tournament held in Oman in January. The match ended in a 3-3 draw, a result that gave the green shirts a spot in the semifinals.
Sufyan Khan kept Pakistan ahead in the ninth minute from a penalty corner conversion but the Malaysians responded sensationally with a brace from forward Azrai in the 13th and 28th minutes.
Faizal Saari, with 173 caps, orchestrated Speedy Tigers first goal. He raced down the right flank, maneuvered his way into the semicircle and cleverly pushed the ball across the line for Azrai who easily deflected it past goalkeeper Ishtiaq Abdullah Khan into goal.
The Malaysian fans who came in doves to support the Speedy Tigers, burst into a frenzy celebration. It was perhaps a best sign that things might be changing for Malaysia against the former World and Olympic champions in the remaining minutes of the match.
Sarjit’s Speedy Tigers competed superbly against Pakistan and as the clock ticked away fans, were treated to goal No 2 in the second quarter, courtesy of a quick-thinking act by Azrai who once again in front of the Pakistani goalmouth, as he steered the ball into goal, with a gently touch. Malaysia 2 Pakistan 1.
Youngster Azimuddin Kamaruddin, who at 18 is the youngest player on the field, displayed courage and commitment as he held his nerves and joined his seniors to mesmerize Pakistan’s defense.
Malaysia’s third goal came off a 45th minute penalty corner, which Azrai nailed from a rebound. But the Pakistanis came back strongly to reduced the deficit 3-2 through Sufyan’s penalty corner and then Zikriya Hayat equalized 3-3 in the 52nd minutes from a field goal.
Midfielder Shello Silverius extended the lead 4-3 in the 59th minute with a classic shot into goal to cheers of the fans but the celebrations and expectations of a Malaysian victory simply faded away as Pakistan punished the Malaysians with quick counter attacks in the end stage of the match.
Sufyan pounded the host with a penalty corner to level 4-4 for his hat-trick and then Abu Bakar Mahmood converted a penalty stroke with seconds to the end of regulation time.
MALAYSIA: SARJIT SINGH (COACH)
“I think both teams played a good game. If you make mistakes, you will be punished for it and that is what happened to us. We started to play to the crowd in the last five minutes and that was a mistake.
We had the chance to seal the game. At 4-3 we made two silly errors. The last five minutes, we started playing to the crowd and that changed our game. It is good to entertain the crowd as they were excited and happy, but it was not good for me as coach.
It was a good experience today and the players must learn from this mistake.”
PAKISTAN: ROELANT OLTMANS (COACH)
“It was a crazy game. Every different moment we kept changing the game. There were moments we were turning the game around in every corner. After Malaysia took a 3-1 lead, we had to change our tactics. The boys did something exceptional in the last quarter to turn the game around.
That was quite a superb performance but overall, there was no control. I see Malaysia in more control of the game but there was a moment they lost control and we took that opportunity to come back and score. And that turned around the game.”