Malaysian teams had a mixed performance on the opening day of the 3rd Mirnawan Cup Under-17 Men and Women’s 2024 hockey championships at the National Hockey Stadium on Sunday.
In men’s Pool A, South Korea came back from a Ahmad Idham Fitri ninth minute field goal to beat the Malaysian Tigers 3-1. Choe Dohyeon converted a penalty stroke in the 18th minute, and added two more goals via penalty corners in the 38th and 40th minutes.
Malaysian Tigers coach Izwan Firdaus Ahmad Tajuddin said: “We had the match in control be taking the lead but could not convert the many chances into goals in all four quarters. This is something we need to look at seriously. Our next match against Canada on Monday is crucial. We need to pick up three points.”
Malaysia Speedy, however, saved the blushes by registering a 4-1 victory over Queensland in a Pool B match. Muhammad Hisyammudin (29th), Benecdick Kulleh Anak Martin (37th), Muhammad Zakir Haidil Amran (44th) and Amran Kashimi Ahmad Kamil (52nd) scored for the home team. The Australians reduced the deficit through Andrian Leighton five minutes to the end of regulation time.
In another Pool A encounter, South Africa humbled Canada 9-1. Reece Theunis scored a hat-trick, Siwaphiwe Sithembu registered a brace, while Keegen Le Roux, Christopher Abrahams, Callum Anderson and Ryde Brisset scored one a piece. Harry Laxton replied for the Canadians.
In the Women’s Pool X, Malaysia Speedy defeated Austria 1-0 in a penalty shootout after a scoreless draw in regulation time. In another match, Queensland triumphed 5-4 over South Korea.
In Pool Y, South Africa edged Malaysia Tigress 4-0 with a brace from Amber Fairon, while Lucy Holderness and Lenique Vogel scored one each.
The tournament resumes on Monday (Oct 4) with six more matches.