IPOH – Malaysia have boosted their chances of winning the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament for the first time after edging Japan 4-3 at the Azlan Shah Stadium on 24 March.
The win also helped Malaysia avenge their painful loss to Japan in the final at the Asian Games in Jakarta last September. Then, Malaysia lost 3-1 in the penalty shootout after both teams were tied at 6-6 in regulation time.
This time, in the 28th edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, there was just as much drama, with Malaysia going 2-0 up through two early field goals from Faizal Saari (3rd minute) and Nik Muhammad Aiman Nik Rozaimi (7th minute).
Japan, always resolute, narrowed the deficit when national goalkeeper Hairi Rahman failed to stop Kazuma Murata’s attempt in the 17th minute.
Faizal restored Malaysia’s two-goal cushion when he beat Japanese goalkeeper Takashi Yoshikawa in the 25th minute for his fifth goal in the tournament.
Seven minutes later, Japan made it 2-3 with a field goal from Kota Watanabe, leaving the more than 2,000 Malaysian fans in suspense.
Razie Rahim settled their nerves when he put Malaysia 4-2 ahead with a penalty corner goal in the 53rd minute.
Although Japan managed to get a third goal through Koji Yamasaki a minute later to trail Malaysia 3-4, the national team managed to see them off, much to the relief of coach Roelant Oltmans.
“The game tonight was fierce as 90 per cent of the Japanese players featured in last year Asian Games final. So, I must applaud my team’s spirit in winning this game tonight,” he said.
With the win, their second following yesterday’s 5-1 thrashing of Poland, are perched atop the six-team standings with six points, followed by South Korea (4 points), India (4pts), and Canada (3pts). Japan and Poland have yet to get a single point.
Malaysia will meet India on Tuesday night as today is a rest day for all teams.
-BERNAMA
