Young Tigers face tough passage to get past India in semis

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s junior hockey team are in good shape at the Junior Asia Cup but face a tough task of getting past defending champions India in the semi-finals today.

The Young Tigers defeated China 1-0 in their final Group B match in Inner Mongolia, China, to enter the final four, where India now stand in their way to the final.

Entering the semi-final has also earned Malaysia a spot in the 2027 Junior World Cup.

Head coach Nor Saiful Zaini is aware that India, who have won the past three editions of the tournament, will put up a strong fight to enter the final and retain their crown.

Malaysia last won the tournament in 2012 in Melaka.

“We have played India several times; they are a very good team,” said Nor Saiful.

“We are here with the main aim to win every match. We will try our best to use our advantages and look for opportunities to secure goals.”

Safwan Salihe’s goal in the eighth minute was enough for Malaysia to edge past China, but Nor Saiful admitted the team needed to keep their structure intact when things do not go to plan.

“We had a player taken out in the final 10 minutes because of a card, and we knew China would try to catch up.

“We got messy but we still did well to deny them any chances. It gave our players the experience of playing with a man down in crucial minutes,” said Nor Saiful.