IPOH: Malaysia again finished fourth in the Asia Cup hockey tournament, no thanks to the misfiring forwards in the third placing playoff match against Pakistan.
Despite being disappointed for failing to qualify for the 2014 World Cup Finals in Holland, Pakistan summoned enough energy to down the homesters 3-1 at the Azlan Shah Stadium here yesterday. Malaysia had five penalty corners and failed to convert them.
In Kuantan four years ago, Malaysia finished fourth after losing 7-6 to China on penalty flicks after both teams failed to break the 3-3 deadlock in regulation time. Malaysia’s best achievement was a third placing in Chennai in 2007.
It was Pakistan’s second win over Malaysia, having won 4-1 in a group match on Aug 25.
Yesterday, Faizal Saari gave Malaysia the lead in the 34th minute. Pakistan then fought back to score through Abdul Haseem Khan (35th), Muhammad Imran (54th) and an own goal by Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim (56th).
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah was disappointed with the national team’s performance.
“Something needs to be done as the forwards are just not sharp in the front of the goalmouth.
“We failed to do better than the fourth place we achieved in Kuantan four years ago,” lamented Tengku Abdullah.
National coach Paul Revington admitted that the forwards were a letdown in the tournament.
“I am disappointed with the forwards. We also failed to score from the penalty corners we earned in the match,” said the South African coach.
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