Malaysia Runners-Up Of Asian Junior Hockey Championship

KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 (Bernama) – Malaysia were forced to settle for runners-up after losing 1-2 to India in a penalty shootout at the Under-18 Asian Junior Hockey Championship in Bangkok, Thailand Sunday. The match had to be dragged to penalty shoot-out after both teams drew 4-4 during regulation play in the final of the tournament which also serves as a qualifying round to the 2018 Junior Olympic Games in Argentina. For the record, Malaysia advanced to the 2018 Junior Olympics after beating South Korea 5-4 also in a penalty shoot-out in the semifinals Saturday. In Sunday’s action, Malaysia opened scoring through Mohamad Akhimullah Anuar Esook as early as the 11th minute before India bounced back with two quick goals by Rahul Kumar Rajbhar in the 14th minute and Vivek Prasad, a minute later. Muhammad Muhibuddin Moharam tied the score at 2-2 in the 15th minute before Vivek and Rahul Kumar put India in front (4-2) again with goals in the 18th and 20th minutes. Muhammad Noor Firdaus Rosdi saved the dignity of the national squad handled by Wallace Tan when he fired two quick goals, in the 26th and 30th minutes, respectively. Commenting on the action, Tan praised the excellent performance exhibited by his players despite losing 2-4 at the start of the match. "The players played according to strategy today ... Despite being left behind, they did not give up and rose to equalise. "Indeed, it was the best game and imbued us with a spirit that we could give a stiff competition to India. The players have shown their best game throughout the tournament including trouncing some of the best teams like Pakistan and South Korea and I am very proud of them," he said. Despite losing, Malaysia managed to win the top scorer award via Muhammmad Akhimullah who scored 16 goals. Earlier, the country's junior women's squad clinched third spot after beating South Korea 5-3 in the decider for third and fourth place. -- BERNAMA