PETALING JAYA: Malaysia were the first to book their place in the knockout stages – but it meant nothing when they came up against a clinical Japan side in the Asia Cup Under-18 hockey semi-final in Kakamigahara, Japan.
The young Harimau Muda were handed a brutal reality check when the Japanese whipped them 8-1, exposing the inconsistencies in the team despite their promising group-stage performances.
It was their worst defeat in the tournament since it was started in 2001.
Numada Gaku drew first blood in the seventh minute via a penalty corner, and the floodgates swung open almost immediately.
Yoshioka Mahiro doubled the lead through another penalty corner in the 11th minute, before Dobashi Takuya struck within moments to make it 3-0, leaving Malaysia shell-shocked in the first quarter.
Takuya was at it again in the 20th minute, completing his brace to stretch the lead to four, and Inukai Yoga piled on further misery with a penalty corner a minute later.
Malaysia trudged off at half-time trailing 5-0, but the second half brought little respite.
Mori Tatsuya added a sixth via a penalty corner in the 44th minute, before Yoga capped a devastating personal display with a field goal almost immediately after to make it 7-0.
Malaysia’s only moment of consolation arrived in the 47th minute, when G. Dheeressh converted a penalty stroke.
But Yoga had the final say, completing his hattrick with another penalty stroke a minute later.
Yoga was Japan’s standout performer, finishing with three goals to his name, while Takuya contributed a brace in a display of clinical efficiency that underlined why Japan are the team to beat in this tournament.
Malaysia coach Mohd Harfizi Baharom did not mince his words afterwards.
“We made silly mistakes and Japan converted them into goals.
“There were some minutes where we were good, some where we were bad. This allowed Japan to dictate the tempo and we couldn’t control it,” he said.
Malaysia’s journey in Kakamigahara had started well and they became the first team to secure a semi-final berth, riding the crest of a strong mid-group run that raised expectations of a title challenge.
However, their group campaign was not without its complications.
They opened with a 4-2 defeat to Bangladesh, a stumble that set nerves jangling, before recovering impressively with wins over Pakistan (3-2) and China (3-0) to advance.
Despite the recovery, they ultimately finished second in the group on six points, pipped by Pakistan on goals scored after the two sides were level on goal difference.
With the semi-final dream now over, Harfizi is determined to ensure his squad leave Japan with something tangible.
“Now we focus on the playoff today. Whether it is India or Pakistan, we will give our best before returning to Malaysia,” he said.
Malaysia will contest the third-place playoff, with a bronze medal the last remaining prize on offer.
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