JAKARTA: Malaysia thrashed Japan 5-0 in the Asia Cup Hockey tournament at the Gelora Bung Karno Hockey Stadium here, to book a spot in the final.
With both teams beginning the game cautiously, the 'The Speedy Tigers' squad opened the scoring at the end of the first quarter, through a field goal by Shello Silverius in the 15th minute.
Malaysia dominated the match and launched several attempts in the second quarter but were denied by Japanese goalkeeper Koji Yamasaki.
Nik Muhammad Aiman Nik Rozemi finally doubled the lead in the 30th minute and Muhammad Razie Abd Rahim's penalty corner in the 35th minute made it 3-0.
Brimming with confidence, A. Arul Selvaraj's charges made it 4-0 in the same minute through Muhammad Syafiq Hassan's field goal, while Mohamad Ashran Hamsani put the icing on the cake with the fifth goal in the 42nd minute.
Speaking to reporters after the match, captain Muhamad Marhan Mohd Jalil said all the players had given their best performance and remained focused to prevent Japan from scoring goals.
"Preparations for the final have started with today's match. Tomorrow we will do our best to win," he said.
Arul Selvaraj praised all the players for beating Japan, who are also the 2018 Asian Games gold medalists.
"All the players prepare for each and every match, I just give them guidance. I believe if we empower them, they will emerge stronger," he said, adding that the team could take a brief moment to celebrate the victory today before returning to the pitch tomorrow with a chance to make history.
In the final scheduled for tomorrow, Malaysia will meet either India or South Korea who play in the Super 4 today, while Japan will play in the third-place match.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Tue May 31 2022
Malaysia thrashed Japan 5-0 in the Asia Cup Hockey tournament at the Gelora Bung Karno Hockey Stadium in Jakarta to book a spot in the final. - MHC
Kertas kabinet wujud sektor sukan dibentang dalam tempoh sebulan - Hannah
Hannah berkata dengan data yang lebih menyeluruh melibatkan sektor industri sukan nanti, pihaknya akan mampu merangsang pertumbuhan sukan di negara ini dengan lebih baik.
Tiga Syarikat Semikonduktor umum melabur di Pulau Pinang - Kon Yeow
Tiga syarikat semikonduktor dari China menyatakan komitmen untuk membuat pelaburan baharu di Pulau Pinang.
Pindaan garis panduan lawatan: Sekolah diharap susun semula program - Fadhlina
Semua sekolah diharap dapat menyusun semula program lawatan masing-masing berikutan pindaan Garis Panduan Lawatan Murid Sekolah pada tahun lepas bagi mengukuhkan pembelajaran di luar kelas, kata Menteri Pendidikan, Fadhlina Sidek.
Kebajikan pendidikan anak-anak dijaga sehingga tamat sekolah - KPM
Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia akan memastikan kebajikan pendidikan anak-anak 10 pegawai dan anggota Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia yang terkorban dalam nahas helikopter di Lumut, Perak, terus dijaga sehingga mereka tamat persekolahan.
Zahid minta pihak dalam BN buka "buku baharu"
Ahmad Zahid menegaskan senario politik tanah air sudah berubah dan terdapat banyak video lama dari parti lawan yang meminta pengundi menyokong DAP.
Malaysia kongsi pengalaman dalam usaha berterusan mempertahan Palestin
Delegasi negara akan berkongsikan peranan Malaysia dalam usaha berterusan mempertahankan nasib Palestin dalam Persidangan Liga Parlimen Al-Quds kelima yang berlangsung di Istanbul, Turki pada Sabtu.
Universiti Malaya mohon maaf kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia
Jabatan Pengajian Antarabangsa dan Strategik, Universiti Malaya memohon maaf kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia berhubung kenytaaan tidak bertanggungjawab Profesor Dr Bruce Gilley pada 24 April lalu.
Genting Malaysia nafi terbabit perbincangan
Selepas Berjaya Corporation Bhd dan Kerajaan Negeri Johor, kini Genting Malaysia Bhd pula menafikan sebarang penglibatan dalam perbincangan mengenai pengoperasian kasino di Forest City, Johor.
Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Berikut adalah berita yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang Sabtu, 27 April 2024.
Lima cedera dalam tembakan di luar kelab malam di Washington
Lima cedera dalam insiden tembakan di luar sebuah kelab malam di Washington, Amerika Syarikat pada lewat Jumaat.