PETALING JAYA: The national hockey team stayed solid to qualify for the semi-finals of the Asian Games after beating Pakistan 5-4 in their Group B match at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Saturday (Sept 26).
Pakistan got off to a flying start when Sufyan Khan scored in the third minute, but the Speedy Tigers, led by South African coach Brendan Carolan, were quick to respond with two goals in the opening two quarters.
Midfielder Shello Silverius levelled the score in the fifth minute before striker Faizal Saari gave Malaysia a 2-1 lead in the 23rd minute.
But Sufyan made it his own show in the third quarter.
He showed why he is such a menacing penalty corner taker by firing home three goals in the 39th, 43rd and 46th minutes.
Faizal added his second of the day, also from a penalty corner, in the 45th minute.
Malaysia, though, mounted a stirring fightback and deservedly scored twice in the fourth quarter through Shello (56th) and striker Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal (57th) to emerge 5-4 winners.
Malaysia will play their final group match against China on Monday.
