Defending champions Malaysia held Iran to a 3-3 draw and in the process qualified for tomorrow’s final of the 2024 Men’s Indoor Hockey Asia Cup. They will go into a showdown again against the Persians in the city of Taldykorgan, Kazakhstan.
The Malaysians and Iranians also qualified for the 2025 Men’s FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in the city of Poreč, Croatia (Feb 3-9).
Iran is the most decorated team in the tournament, winning eight times out of nine editions. They have amassed seven points to top Pool C, while Malaysia has five – one ahead of third-place Kazakhstan. The Thais, with no points, and the Kazakhs will contest for the bronze medal.
Mohd Rodzhanizam Mat Radzi, head coach of the Malaysian team, said: “It was a nail-biting finish and the team played very well to come back from two goals down to earn this draw. Our mission of qualifying for the 2025 World Cup for the first time has realised.”
“The final against Iran will be equally tough and exciting. Today, we started off on the backfoot and allowed Iran to score two early goals. But the players gave their best performance to stay in the game for a draw until the final hooter. I sincerely applaud the commitment, attitude and fighting spirit of all players,” he added.
Mahdi Shahrokhi broke the silence in this crucial Pool C match with a 10th minute penalty corner conversion – his 10th goal of the tournament, and Amirmahdi Mirzakhani extended the lead to 2-0 in the 16th minute via a field goal.
The Malaysians, however, fought back gallantly at the start of the third quarter with a field goal from Khaliq Hamidin to narrow the gap to 2-1. However, Mahdi came back to score Iran’s third goal (27th) and his 11th of the tournament from a penalty corner conversion.
But rankings hardly matter when it comes to high profile matches and the Malaysians proved that tonight against the eight-time champions. Down 1-3, the Speedy Tigers rolled back into the game with goals from Aminuddin Mohd Zain (28th) and Khaliq’s brace (30th minute) to level the score at 3-3 until the end of regulation time.
The Malaysians had everything in line for the encounter against the Iranians in their last Pool C match but Kazakhstan’s 9-2 demolition of Thailand in an earlier match threw a wrench in the works of the Speedy Tigers.
Following the Kazakh’s huge win over the Thais, the Malaysians needed an outright win or at the least hold the Persians to a draw which would not only qualify them for Saturday’s final, but also a direct entry to the 2025 World Cup.
And this the Speedy Tigers achieved with distinction.
