Asian Cup: Malaysia reaches the final, book a slot for the 2025 World Cup
25/05/2024
The rise of Malaysia in the last decisive match of the second round (Group C), Asia Indoor Hockey Cup in Taldykorgan, Kazakhstan, by tying Iran 3-3 brought Malaysia to the final stage. - Malaysian Hockey Confederation photo
KUALA LUMPUR: The national men's indoor hockey squad advanced to the 2024 Asia Cup final after tying Iran 3-3 in Group C action last night.
The result saw Malaysia gain five points in total and finish second in Group C behind Iran who collected seven points, thus booking a slot to the 2025 Indoor Hockey World Cup in Porec, Croatia from Feb 3 to 9 next year.
Group C action at the Taldykorgan Sports Complex, Kazakhstan last night saw Iran open the scoring through Shahrokhi Mahdi's penalty corner as early as the 10th minute before Mirzakhani Amirmahdi doubled the lead through a field goal six minutes later.
Malaysia came back to close the gap when Abdul Khaliq Hamirin scored in the 21st minute, but Shahrokhi again scored from a penalty corner to give Iran a 3-1 lead in the 27th minute.
A minute later national defender Muhammad Aminuddin Mohd Zaid gifted Malaysia's second goal before Abdul Khaliq scored the equalizer in the 30th minute.
Earlier, Malaysia passed the first challenge in the second round of the 2024 Asian Cup by beating Thailand 5-2 on Thursday.
In the first round in Group B, the national squad beat Oman 10-2 last Tuesday, followed by a 3-3 draw with hosts Kazakhstan and confirmed progress to the second round by beating the 2023 SEA Games champions, Indonesia, 5-4 on Wednesday.
The squad managed by Mohd Rodzhanizam Mat Radzi is once again scheduled to meet Iran in the final action which will take place at 5pm this afternoon (Malaysian time).
Source: BERNAMA
