IPOH: Malaysia’s hopes of making it to the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final were dashed after they suffered a 9-1 thrashing by Belgium on Thursday (Nov 27).
The first quarter was a goal fest on its own, seeing four goals scored in the first 15 minutes at the Azlan Shah Stadium.
Belgium stalwart Tom Boon punished hosts Malaysia in the early stages when he converted a penalty corner to put the Red Lions ahead in the eighth minute, followed by teammate Thomas Crols' field goal to make it 2-0 three minutes later.
But Malaysia’s veteran forward Faizal Saari fought hard to get Malaysia back into the game, scoring their first goal in the 13th minute.
But the gap was extended once more by Belgium when Thibeau Stockbroekx made it 3-1 at the end of the first quarter.
The goals just kept on for Belgium, with three more goals in the 2nd quarter through Roman Duvekot (18th minute), Alexander Handrickx (27th), and Tommy Willems (30th).
Belgium then went on to score their final three goals in the second half, with Boon getting his second goal of the night in the 38th minute, followed by Victor Foubert (41st), and Duvekot (54th).
Malaysia now sit in fifth place with four points, ahead of South Korea at the bottom with no points.
Belgium leads the table with 10 points, with India close behind with nine points, followed by New Zealand (7 pts), and Canada (4 pts).
With only the top two teams in the six-team group advancing to the finals, Malaysia can only hope to stay in contention for bronze.
The Speedy Tigers would face South Korea on Saturday (Nov 29) before the classification matches on Sunday (Nov 30).
