Malaysia to battle New Zealand for bronze after 4-3 loss to South Korea

Speedy Tigers lose 4-3 to South Korea but qualify for Sultan Azlan Shah Cup bronze medal match on goal difference over Canada

MALAYSIA qualified to play in the third fourth placing even after losing their last game 3-4 to South Korea at the 31st edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Invitational Hockey Tournament at Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Perak on Saturday night.

The homesters will take on New Zealand for the bronze medal after the Kiwis lost 1-5 to Cup finalist Belgium in an earlier match.

The home team and Canada share four points in the table but the host go through on goal difference.

Malaysia staged a late comeback in the second half but it was not enough to stop the Koreans to register their first win after four defeats.

The visitors netted two quick goals in the 4th and 5th minute through Oh Seyong and Park Cheoleon.

After the break it was disappointment for the fans when the hosts fell behind from penalty corner by Yang Jihun in the 47th minute.

However the Speedy Tigers found the rhythm and scored three goals in a space of six minutes to make it 3-3 .

The Malaysians goals came from Faizal Saari Azrai in the 54th minute and Aizad Abu Kamal in the 54th and 58th minutes.

But the joy was shortlived with seconds ticking away, the Koreans disappointed the home supporters when Kim Hyeonhong converted a penalty corner to register their victory.

They will play the fifth and sixth placing match against Canada.

Malaysian coach Sarjit Singh said he wants his team to be on the podium, it is important.

“Our defence was again loose and not good enough. We took our chances well to draw 3-3 but a silly error in the 25 yard line gave them a penalty corner and ended the game,“ he added.

Meanwhile Korean coach Taeseok Min was happy with the first win in the tournament.

“It was tough in the third and fourth quarters… we have to keep Malaysians away form scoring. Having played many matches against the Malaysians, we held the advantage,“ he said.

Belgium, who last played in the tournament 17 years ago, will go up against India, who hammered Canada 14-3.