Speedy Tigers trashed by Japan at Nations Cup

PETALING JAYA: The national hockey team failed to maintain their winning start at the Nations Cup after they were thrashed 4-1 by Japan in their second Group A match in South Africa on Friday (June 12).

The Speedy Tigers were first to strike as veteran Faizal Saari scored a field goal in the second minute at the Hartleyvale Stadium in Cape Town.

But Japan, who are ranked one spot above Malaysia in 14th, showed their class as Yamada Hyota and Kazumasa Matsumoto scored in quick succession to get themselves ahead in the 26th and 28th minutes.

The Samurai delivered their final blow in the last quarter as Tsubasa Tanaka and Raiki Fujishima scored five minutes apart to take the win.

Malaysia, coached by Brendon Carolan, had started the tournament on a positive note with a 5-2 win over Scotland on Thursday (June 11).

Japan moved up to the top of Group A with four points, while Malaysia are third with three points.

The national team will take on New Zealand next on June 16, before their final group stage fixture against South Korea the following day.