Malaysia’s Speedy Tigers rode on confidence yet again as they clawed Canada 6-2 in a thrilling encounter to stay in contention for a podium finish in the 30th edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup (SAS Cup).
Head coach Sarjit introduced 23-year-old Che Shahrul Azmi Che Saufi as the custodian against the Canadians, leaving regular goalkeeper Muhammad Hafizuddin Othman on the bench. The Nurinsafi Sportings player earned his first international cap.
“It was a nervous start by us. That gave Canada the chance to score the first goal. Overall, I think we played well iN patches. We got a quick goal and then we gave away. But we came back quickly to take a 3-1 lead. In the third quarter we went ahead 4-1 and after that our performance really went down,” said national hockey coach Sarjit Singh.
“Overall, the performance and commitment of the players is important. That is all that I’m looking for.
“To claim penalty corners goals, I think we have to be fair to Syed Syafiq Cholan. He has been out of action not taking penalty corners for almost three years and we need to him time to get back. As for goalkeeper Shahrul, he played a good game today. Give him all the exposure to grow.”
The Canadians surprised the home fans with a field goal in the 12th minute through Teixeira Devohn Noronha that briefly rattled the Malaysian’s mission to get back on track in the SAS Cup.
Following the defeat 4-5 against the Pakistanis on Saturday, Malaysia’s men’s hockey team dropped to world No. 14 in the latest FIH World Rankings released. Ahead of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, the Speedy Tigers were ranked at No.13.
Midfielder Fitri Saari kept the motion moving in front of an estimated 3,000 fans with the equaliser in the very next minute while Azrai Abu Kamal extended the lead 2-1 in the 14th minute for his fourth goal.
Youngster Azimuddin Syakir Kamaruddin, who is 18 and the youngest player in the team, scored the third goal – and his first international, in the 19th minute in similar fashion as the Malaysians found renewed energy and confidence to take a 3-1 lead at the interval.
The Malaysians continued to show great character and spirit at the start of the third quarter. Aiman Rozemi packed home the ball from a goalmouth melee for the fourth goal in the 31st minute but the Canadians hit back for their second goal through Teixeira in the 42nd minute from a field goal as the score stood at 4-2 going into the fourth quarter.
Moving into the final lap of the match, the Speedy Tigers pushed Canada on the backfoot with more opportunities to score.
The Malaysians earned their first penalty corner of the match in the 49th minute and defender Syed Mohamad Syafiq Syed Cholan was on spot to put the host 5-2 ahead.
Faizal Saari then went on to score the sixth goal in one of the most exciting moves. The 33-year-old forward went on a solo mission as he raced down the left flank in the 49th minute with two Canadians on his heel, and packed the ball past goalkeeper Coombs with a well-executed reverse stick tomahawk shot. Malaysia 6 Canada 2.
That goal sank the Canadians determination to rolled back into the game and with time not on their side.
Canadian head coach Patrick Tshutshani, said: “Yes, we gave away many goals in two matches (13 goals). We came into the tournament to win some matches and get the experience. It is not about the scores or results. We are a new team and the experience is important.
“If you look at the age, they are six new boys with no caps. We are building this team. And we have to be realistic as well. Today’s match against Malaysia was good. I think we started off well to get an early goal and then slowed down.”