'Speedy Tigers' head into semi-final of 2022 Nations Cup
Bernama
Disember 1, 2022 
The national men's hockey squad confirmed their slot in the semi-finals of the 2022 FIH Nations Cup after thrashing Japan 5-1 in the final Group B fixture in South Africa today. - Facebook/MHCal of 2022 Nations Cup
The national men's hockey squad confirmed their slot in the semi-finals of the 2022 FIH Nations Cup after thrashing Japan 5-1 in the final Group B fixture in South Africa today. - Facebook/MHC
KUALA LUMPUR: The national men's hockey squad confirmed their slot in the semi-finals of the 2022 Men's International Hockey Federation (FIH) Nations Cup after thrashing Japan 5-1 in the final Group B fixture in South Africa today.
The victory saw the squad led by A. Arul Selvaraj collect six points to finish second behind South Korea, with nine.
In the match held at the NWU Astro Stadium in Potchefstroom today, the national team opened the scoring in the second minute through Muhammad Najib Abu Hassan's field goal, before Japan equalised through Kosei Kawabe's field goal in the fifth minute.
Stunned by the goal, the 'Speedy Tigers' continued to launch a series of attacks which finally paid off when Muhammad Aminuddin Mohd Zain completed a penalty corner in the 23rd minute, before Faizal Saari scored the third from open play in the 34th minute.
Malaysia - ranked 10th in the world - continued to display an excellent performance, scoring the fourth goal in the 39th minute through Muhammad Najib, before Mohamad Ashran Hamsani scored the fifth a minute later to seal the game.
The country's experienced goalkeeper Muhammad Hafizuddin Othman was named man of the match.
-- BERNAMA
