PETALING JAYA: This one's for you coach Sarjit Singh.
Malaysia's men’s hockey team dedicated their place in the Asian Games final to their former head coach Sarjit, who passed away in August.
Current head coach Brendon Carolan paid tribute to his predecessor after Malaysia's stirring 2-1 semi-final win over four-time Asian Games winners South Korea at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium yesterday, acknowledging Sarjit's role in shaping the team before he took over in April.
"We dedicate this win to coach Sarjit. He had been a huge part of this programme and just wanted to thank him and all that he had done for the team," said Carolan after the match.
The Speedy Tigers moved one step closer to clinching their maiden Asian Games crown after Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal fired a brace to secure them a spot in the final.
Azrai gave Malaysia a late lead after converting a penalty corner in the 40th minute.
South Korea managed to get an equaliser not long after through Lee Gang-san, but Azrai found the back of the net again in the 45th minute from a penalty stroke.
Malaysia will now face defending champions India in the final, with the winner earning an Olympic Games ticket.
India defeated Pakistan 4-3 in the other semi-final.
Carolan added that the team’s job is not done as they aim to dethrone India and claim their first gold medal at the Asian Games.
"For us, while it’s good to enter the final, our goal is to win the tournament," he said.
The national team have never won an Asiad gold, with their previous best result coming at the 2018 Jakarta edition, where they finished with silver after losing to Japan in penalty shootout.
