Harsh Japanese lesson for hockey boys

Consolation: G. Dheeressh converted a penalty stroke for Malaysia in the match against Japan.

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.