PETALING JAYA: The national junior hockey team suffered their third straight defeat in the World Cup after losing to South Africa 1-3 in the 9th-16th classification game at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on Thursday (Dec 4).
South Africa drew first blood in the 18th minute when Jaydon Brooker converted a well-taken penalty corner.
Brooker doubled the lead for the South Africans in the 39th minute, again from a set-piece, giving his side a comfortable cushion heading into the final quarter.
Malaysia fought back in the 48th minute, with Mohd Aqil Danial Mat Ruslee finding the net from a penalty corner to reignite hopes of a comeback.
However, any Malaysian momentum was short-lived. Ross Montgomery sealed the win for South Africa in the 58th minute, converting yet another penalty corner to make it 3-1 and secure the full points.
Coach Nor Saiful zaini praised the South Africans for being intelligent with their chances.
"South Africa had 14 penalty corners and scored three. Our penalty corner defence was good but South Africa were better at looking for opportunities," said Saiful.
He lamented his players' lack of composure in front of goal.
"We aren't clinical upfront. We created so many chances but can't seem to put them into the net. Also, we are not smart enough to hunt for penalty corners.
"This was a game we could have won but we lost. We lost because of our own doing. The three natches we lost, all because of us."
Malaysia started their campaign with a 5-1 win against Austria, but lost the next two group matches against Holland (0-6) and England (1-3).
And Saiful urges his charges to regroup before their next game.
"The players have to look at themselves. We have shown videos and told them what to improve but they can't seem to get it."
