KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia survived a scare from China before winning 5-4 in the opening match of the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, India on Tuesday
The Speedy Tigers, who won silver at the Asian Games, started well by taking the lead through Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal in the fourth minute.
But the Chinese played a fast attacking game and surprised Malaysia by storming back to score two quick goals through Wang Yaqi (11th) and Ne Moda (12th) to take a 2-1 lead.
Brendon Carolan's men, however, fought back to take a 3-2 lead by scoring two goals in the same minute through Akhimullah Anuar Esook and Azrai in the 14th minute.
China, who defeated Malaysia 4-2 in the ACT in Inner Mongolia, China in 2024, levelled the score through Chen Benhai off a penalty corner in the 27th minute.
Malaysia again stormed back to take a lead from a penalty stroke converted by Faizal Saari (34th), and a minute later Azimuddin Kamaruddin sounded the board off another penalty corner for a 5-3 lead.
But China, silver medallist in the ACT in 2024, narrowed the deficit off a penalty corner converted by Benhai in the 44th minute.
Akhimullah was named man of the match.
Carolan said he was disappointed with the way his players played compared to what they did at the Asian Games.
"It is difficult to play in the hot and humid heat as it affects our game. Hats off to China for playing well and scoring goals," said Carolan.
"We need to play better in our next matches and the most important thing is to win. We are looking forward to moving up to 12th in the world. To achieve that, we need to do better in the upcoming matches in the tournament."
FIXTURES
Malaysia vs South Korea (5pm), Bangladesh vs Japan (7.15pm), India vs China (9.30pm)
All matches in Malaysian time
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