PETALING JAYA: The national hockey team failed to clinch third place at the World Cup Qualifiers after they were beaten 5-4 by Japan in Ismailia, Egypt, on Saturday (March 7).
The win for Japan ensured them a spot at the World Cup in Holland and Belgium from Aug 14-30, while Malaysia booked their spot by finishing as the highest-ranked fourth-place team after results in the other qualifying tournament in Chile confirmed their qualification.
At the Suez Canal Authority Hockey Stadium, Japan took the lead first in the 15th minute through a field goal from Ryoma Ooka.
The Speedy Tigers replied when Fitri Saari scored the equaliser in the 30th minute, before Marhan Jalil and Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan put them ahead with two goals in the next six minutes.
Japan then launched their comeback with four goals from Kazumasa Matsumoto in the 38th minute, Raiki Fujishima (52nd), and Koji Yamasaki (55th, 57th).
Faizal Saari tried to put Malaysia back into the fight, but his goal in the 59th minute was too late to change the outcome of the match.
