JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 15 — Malaysia failed to emulate yesterday’s giant-killing act and lost 1-2 to defending champion India in their fourth match of the Sultan of Johor Cup at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium, here tonight.
The Malaysian boys who upset Australia 2-3 yesterday found the going tough today as India dictated the pace right from the start and forced coach Arul Selvaraj’s boys to play a more defensive game.
However, despite India having the upper hand, the score remained 0-0 in the first half.
The second half started with the same neck-breaking pace as the Indian side used their speed to cause all sorts of trouble and forcing Malaysia to concede a number of penalty corners.
It was from one such penalty corner that the side coached by Harenda Singh took the lead when Harmanpreet Singh finished off a Gurjant Singh push in and added his second and India’s second goal of the night from yet another penalty corner strike in the 57th minute.
Though down 0-2, Malaysia fought back gamely and pulled a goal back in the dying minutes of the match through Muhammad Shahril Saabah’s penalty corner strike.
The loss saw Malaysia drop to fifth place in the table with four points and face bottom team Pakistan on Saturday.
In an earlier match, Argentina clinched their second victory of the tournament by beating Pakistan 3-1 with skipper Maico Casella, completing a hat trick in the 22nd, 27th and 37th minutes.
Pakistan's only goal of the match was scored by Muhammad Qassim two minutes before the final whistle.
Meanwhile, favourite Great Britain were held to a 4-4 draw by Australia in another match played today.
Great Britain who were leading 4-3 through goals from Jack Clee (9th min), Luke Taylor (27th, 35th mins), Jack Waller (67th min) were stunned by a last minute strike from Andrew Scanlon.
Australia’s three other goals were scored by Ryan Proctor (31st min), Frazer Gerrard (54th min) and Stephen Gale (67th min).
Matches continue on Saturday. — Bernama
