PETALING JAYA: The national junior hockey team's hopes of making the Junior Asia Cup final were dashed after they lost 3-1 to defending champions India on Friday (Sept 11).
Indian captain Anmol Ekka gave his side the lead early in the 16th minute through a penalty corner in Inner Mongolia, China.
Sukhvinder Singh then extended their lead in the 51st minute from a field goal before Anmol scored his second goal of the day from a penalty corner three minutes later.
Malaysia's Rahuul Fazrien Nazrien scored a consolation goal in the 60th minute but it was too late to catch the reigning champions.
Malaysia will compete for third place against either South Korea or Pakistan.
The Young Tigers had already booked their ticket to the 2027 Junior World Cup by entering the semis and will have the chance to do one better than their fourth place finish at the 2023 edition in Oman.
