Malaysia fails to retain Indoor Asian Cup title

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia have failed to retain the Indoor Asian Cup after being trounced by Iran 1-7 in the final in Taldykorgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday (May 25).

The side coached by Rodhanizam Mat Radzi, who won the title in 2022, just could not contain the mighty Iranians, who are known to be the best in the world for indoor hockey.

Amirmahsi Mirzakhani (second and 34th minute), Payam Lashgari (fourth and 23rd) and Hamid Nooranian (sixth and 36th) got a double each. The other goalscorer was Sajjad Mamizadeh in the 10th minute.

Malaysia’s lone goal was scored by Mohd Firdaus Omar in the 30th minute.

Iran are the most decorated team in the tournament, winning nine times out of 10 editions.