Faizal Saari (centre) scored a hat-trick against Austria in the Nations Cup on June 9. - FIH
PETALING JAYA: Veteran striker Faizal Saari scored a hattrick as Malaysia made heavy weather against Austria in their 5-4 win to finish seventh in the Nations Cup in Poland on Sunday.
Faizal scored a penalty corner in the 18th minute and added two field goals in two minutes (32nd and 33rd) to bring his personal tally in Poland to seven goals.
However, Malaysia made life difficult for themselves after leading 5-1 by the 33rd minute as they allowed Austria to score three goals to close the gap. However, the Speedy Tigers managed to hold on to the slim 5-4 lead.
Malaysia’s other goals were scored by Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal (second minute field goal) and Fitri Saari (23rd minute penalty stroke).
Austria scored their first goal through a Fulop Losonci penalty stroke in the 21st minute and hit back with three goals in the second half through Maximilian Scholz (34th and 51st) and Arthur Kucera (49th).
