Malaysia beat Japan but fail to advance to semi-finals

Close clash: New Zealand’s Hayden Phillips (centre) is challenged by Pakistan’s Junaid Manzoor during their Group B match in the Nations Cup. — Bernama

BUKIT JALIL: Malaysia’s hopes of making it into the Nations Cup semi-finals were dashed despite their 2-1 victory over Japan in their final Group B match.

The Speedy Tigers needed to win by two goals against Japan to finish second in the group and advance to the semi-finals at the National Hockey Stadium but they fell short.