JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 26 — The national under-21 hockey squad sank to their third consecutive defeat after losing 1-3 to new entrants South Africa on the rain-hit third day of the Sultan of Johor Cup Hockey tournament (SOJC) at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium here last night.
The first quarter saw both teams deadlocked before South Africa drew first blood through a penalty corner converted by Calvin Davis, from Senzwesihle Ngubane’s shot after the second quarter started in the 23rd minute.
A minute later, Malaysia managed to pull level at 1-1 through a penalty corner shot by Muhammad Amirul Haniff Mamat, off a pass from Mohamad Zulhanif Sahran.
South Africa, who just joined the SOJC for the first time, scored the second goal through a Marvin Simons field goal in the 35th minute during the third quarter of the match, followed by the team’s third goal in the 53rd minute entering the final quarter through Cameron Le Forestier’s field goal.
The match, which was supposed to start at 8.35 pm, was delayed by 25 minutes due to a downpour which started since the skies opened up on the match between Great Britain and Australia in the evening.
Malaysia (lying bottom of the league) have failed to pluck a single point after they were thrashed 0-8 by Australia on the second day of the SOJC on Sunday and in opening action on Saturday lost to India 2-5.
Earlier today, Australia beat Great Britain 3-1 while India defeated Japan 5-1.
Tomorrow, India are scheduled to meet Australia, the host team will square off against Great Britain, while South Africa will face Japan.
— Bernama
