The Speedy Tigers scored a thrilling 5-2 victory over Thailand in a Pool C match on Thursday night (May 23) to consolidate their chances of advancing to the final of the Men’s Indoor Hockey Asia Cup in Taldykorgan, Kazakhstan.
The Malaysians earned penalty corners in the fourth and ninth minutes. Drag-flick specialist and team captain Najmi Farizal Jazlan turned on the power again to convert both opportunities – taking his personal goalscoring tally to nine in the tournament.
Muhamad Azhar then followed up by converting a third penalty corner (18th minute) and Khaliq Hamirin extended the lead to 4-0 via a field goal effort (29th minute).
Head coach Mohd Rodzhanizam Mat Radzi, said: “I am delighted with the performance of the team today. The players made less errors than in previous matches. Overall, there has been a lot of improvement in our performance.”
“Now we face Iran in a crucial match tomorrow. We will go into the match with a positive attitude. Nothing is impossible if we play hard,” he added. “Our mission is to enter the final and qualify for the World Cup.”
The Thais, however, pumped up the pressure on the Malaysians and Warawut A-Nukoon responded sensationally by converting penalty corners in the 30th and 34th minutes respectively. Malaysia 4 Thailand 2.
Faridzul Afiq Mohd, however, pegged the Thais down with a 37th minute penalty corner goal as the defending champions celebrated a 5-2 win.
The Malaysians will next play against eight-time champions Iran tomorrow. The Iranians had earlier downed Kazakhstan 5-3.
A victory over the Iranians will enhance Malaysia’s chances of finishing top of the Pool C table standings and a direct ticket to the final. However, should the Malaysians lose, the Speedy Tigers’ fate of a spot in the final will depend on the Kazakhstan-Thailand match.
Iran currently tops the table standings with six points, followed by Malaysia (4 points), Kazakhstan third (1 point), and Thailand with no points.
Historically, the Thais have a poor record against the Malaysians in indoor hockey. The Speedy Tigers have won all six encounters since the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, including victories at the 2019 and 2022 Asia Cups.
At the 2023 Phnom Penh SEA Games the Malaysians won 5-3 in a pool match, and continued their dominance with a 5-0 victory at the 2022 Asia Cup on home turf.
