Malaysia Beat Pakistan 4-2 In Asian Champions Trophy Curtain Raiser

KUANTAN (Pahang, Malaysia), Oct 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia started well in the curtain raiser of the Asian Champions Trophy 2016, defeating defending champions, Pakistan 4-2 at Kuantan Hockey Stadium here, Thursday night. In the first quarter of the game, Peter Van Huizen's side managed to break the deadlock in the 13th minute through a penalty corner goal by Firhan Ashari. However, Pakistan leveled it 1-1 through Muhammad Aleem Bilal, who scored through a penalty corner in the 18th minute. Muhammad Aleem again rocked the Malaysian goal when he scored a second goal for Pakistan through a penalty corner in the 34th minute to make it 2-1. In the 36th minute, the match was stopped for 15 minutes due to heavy rain, and Malaysia bounced back right after play resumed in the 37th minute through a penalty taken by Faizal Saari. Shahril Saabah then put the Speedy Tigers ahead of Pakistan 3-2 when he scored a goal in the 41st minute through a penalty corner. Malaysia sealed the victory when Faizal Saari completed the score through a penalty corner in the 60th minute to make it 4-2. Meanwhile, when met by reporters after the match, Van Huizen said the weather change swung the momentum to his side after the brief stop in play. "I admit the Malaysian players were a bit nervous, but they managed to control the situation and returned to play well although they were behind. "The rain factor somewhat helped us against the opponents, and we seized the opportunity to get the goals," he said. -- BERNAMA