The new-look Speedy Tigers went down 1-10 against reigning World Cup champions Germany in a Test match yesterday (July 7) at the Gladbach Hockey and Tennis Club.
The Malaysians arrived in Monchengladbach, Germany on Saturday for the second leg of their tour of Europe following a successful outing earlier in Antwerp, Belgium.
Midfielder Fitri Saari scored Malaysia’s solitary goal against Germany in the 47th minute from a penalty corner conversion.
National team head coach Sarjit Singh said he did not expect the team to go down by this many goals although the players had what it takes to give a better performance against the Germans.
“The team structure just gave way and was not functioning well when the Germans dominated the first two quarters. This resulted in them scoring two goals in the first quarter,” said Sarjit.
“We gave a lot of room to the German forwards to create opportunities to score. At the opposite end, we were neither clinical in the D. We made some good moves and had our chances to score. The end result was disappointing,” he added.
On a positive note, Sarjit stressed that the team has the pedigree and character to give a much better performance against Germany. We were inconsistent in our game. The forwards and midfielders were brave enough to go on the offensive many times. These were good points in this match. The players will learn from this defeat and prepare better for the next match on Tuesday,” added Sarjit.
Ranked fifth in the FIH World Rankings, the Germans pegged the 12-ranked Malaysians into defense early in the first quarter. They scored the first goal in the 10th minute and extended the lead to 2-0 four minutes later. Both goals were scored in open play.
Fresh from completing their journey in the FIH Hockey Pro League following an enthralling 3-3 draw with Great Britain in regulation time and then claiming a 4-2 win in a shootout that saw them finish in sixth position, the Germans continued their goal-scoring act against the Malaysians in the remaining three quarters of the match.
Goal No 3 came from a penalty stroke (25th), and the fourth via a penalty corner conversion (29th). The last six came through field goals.
The Malaysians will take a rest tomorrow and return to the same venue on July 9 for their second match – a friendly against Mochenglabach Club that boasts several senior national team players.