PETALING JAYA: Malaysia were handed a brutal lesson in junior hockey by Japan after they were thrashed 8-1 in the Under-18 Asia Cup semi-final on Friday (June 5).
Japan were devastating from the outset, taking the lead as early as the seventh minute through a penalty corner converted by Numada Gaku.
The floodgates opened almost immediately after, with Yoshioka Mahiro adding a second via another penalty corner in the 11th minute before Dobashi Takuya struck almost simultaneously to make it 3-0, leaving Malaysia shell-shocked before the first quarter had barely elapsed.
Takuya was at it again in the 20th minute, completing his brace to extend Japan’s commanding lead to four goals, and Inukai Yoga piled on further misery with a penalty corner just a minute later to make it 5-0 at half-time.
The second half brought no respite.
Mori Tatsuya added a sixth via a penalty corner in the 44th minute, before Yoga capped a devastating personal performance with a field goal in the same minute to make it 7-0.
Malaysia’s consolation came through G. Dheeressh, who converted a penalty stroke in the 47th minute to give the scoreline a degree of respectability.
However, Yoga had the final say, completing his hattrick with another penalty stroke just a minute later to seal an emphatic 8-1 victory for Japan.
Yoga was the standout performer for the victors, finishing with three goals to his name, while Takuya weighed in with a brace. Malaysia will now contest the third-place playoff as they look to salvage some pride from the tournament.
