NAJMI Farizal Jazlan scored twice as Malaysia thrashed Indonesia 9-2, but he was wearing a frown afterwards.
The national hockey centreback is not satisfied with what he has shown so far at the Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Najmi, 28, said the team did not have the best of starts.
“It was only 3-1 in the first-half, but we did better in the second by scoring six goals. For us, scoring isn’t a problem but it is the performance that needs to be better,” he said.
“In the first three matches we have played, the intensity was low. But when facing South Korea and China, we have to be smarter.”
South Korea and China will be a different kettle of fish from the three teams Malaysia have beaten so far – Thailand (9-0), Oman (11-1) and Indonesia.
“Even my performance was not good enough. I need to be better and I hope to pick up in the next two games and then see how it goes.”
Yesterday, Najmi helped the Speedy Tigers notch their third straight win in Pool B by scoring in the 19th and 35th minutes at the Gongshu Canal Park Stadium yesterday.
The other goals were scored by Ashran Hamsani (5th), Firhan Ashaari (17th), Faizal Saari (33rd), Shello Silverius (38th), Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal (42nd) and Aminuddin Zain (48th).
Indonesia’s goals were scored by Ahdan Asasi (15th) and Aulia Al-Ardh (55th).
Asked about the three goals conceded so far in the last three games, Najmi said it was better that it was happening now than in the later stages.
“We will look at some videos and see what are the problems that need to be solved. Conceding goals is a lesson for all of us to buck up.
“Also, I feel that all of us need to raise our performance if we want to go all the way in Hangzhou.”
His coach A. Arulselvaraj was also upset over the performance, saying they had made silly and unforced errors.
