Hangzhou Asiad: Speedy Tigers end campaign in sixth place

HANGZHOU - The national men's hockey team ended their 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games campaign in sixth place after losing 5-2 to Pakistan in the fifth-sixth classification match at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium here today.

Coach A. Arul Selvaraj's team, who are ranked 10th in the world, drew first blood when defender Muhammad Aminuddin Mohd Zain found the net off a penalty corner setpiece in the fifth minute.

However, their joy was shortlived as Pakistan levelled the scores just three minutes later through a penalty corner goal by Ahmad Arbaz.

After a goalless second quarter, Pakistan edged 2-1 ahead through another penalty corner goal, this time by Abdul Rehman in the 37th minute.

The final quarter saw Pakistan shoot into a 4-1 lead through a field goal by Abdul Rana in the 51st minute and a penalty corner goal by Ammad Muhammad two minutes later.

Although the Speedy Tigers, as the Malaysian men's hockey team are known, managed to narrow the deficit to 2-4 in the dying minutes of the game through a penalty corner goal by Muhammad Razie Abd Rahim, Pakistan sealed a comfortable 5-1 through a field goal by Afraz.

Malaysia will now try to seal a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics via the qualifiers in Muscat, Oman, from Jan 15-21. - BERNAMA