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New Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysia's hockey boys beaten by Japan
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia lost 3-1 to Japan in a boys' Group B match at the Under-18 Asia Cup at Dazhou Hockey Stadium, China, today. Safwan Salihe gave Malaysia the lead off a penalty corner in the 11th minute, but Japan hit back with three goals through Hiroki Toda (13th, 54th) and Yuma Fujiwara (58th). Japan topped the table with maximum points from four matches and secured a semi-final spot while Malaysia are second with nine points from three wins and one loss. Malaysia need to beat Uzbekistan, who are third with six points from three matches, on Wednesday to reach the semi-finals. Coach Sufian Mohd said his boys played well by creating a lot of scoring chances, but it was not their day. "I am optimistic that they will play well to get a win over Uzbekistan to get a place in the semi-finals," he said. Group A: Pakistan 9 Sri Lanka 0; China 8 Hong Kong 0 Group B: Japan 3 Malaysia 1
New Straits Times
06-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysia crush Taiwan 11-1 for third straight U-18 Asia Cup win
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia hammered hapless Taiwan 11-1 to notch their third straight win in Group B of the Under-18 Asia Cup at the Dazhou Stadium in China on Sunday. Safwan Salihe (first, 34th minutes), Harith Afi Rishaudin (11th, 39th), Danial Hakeem Abdullah (30th), Harieq Hadief Fariq (36th, 48th), Izz Ilham Azrul Ridzuan (37th), Abdul Hamzah Yahkip (44th), and Rahuul Fazrien Nazrien (51st, 60th) were all on target for Malaysia. Taiwan's consolation came from Lo Hao Kai in the 47th minute. Malaysia converted two of their 11 penalty corners and also netted from a penalty stroke Coach Sufian Mohd's side had earlier outplayed Kazakhstan 4-0 and thrashed Indonesia 10-0. The matches have served as solid preparation for Monday's crunch clash against Japan, likely to decide the group champions. Japan have also made a strong start, beating Indonesia 10-0 and Uzbekistan 6-2. Malaysia will wrap up their group fixtures on Wednesday against Uzbekistan. Sufian praised his forwards for scoring eight goals from open play. "This is great motivation for them ahead of the Japan match," he said. "Japan are well-organised and physically fit. " It will be a real challenge for my players, but I've prepared a strategy for them to get the job done and stay on course for the semi-finals." Results Group A: Pakistan 8 Hong Kong 0, Bangladesh 13 Sri Lanka 0; Group B: Uzbekistan 8 Indonesia 2, Taiwan 1 Malaysia 11.
New Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysia put 10 past Indonesia in U-18 Asia Cup rout
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia hammered Indonesia 10-0 to secure their second straight win in Group B of the Under-18 Asia Cup at Dazhou Stadium in China on Friday. The young Malaysians found the net through captain Iman Faris Faizo (3rd, 20th minutes), Safwan Salihe (24th, 50th, 60th), Saiful Syahy (25th), Izz Ilhan Azrul Ridzuan (27th), Hisyammudin Abdul Rani (44th), Aferullsyah Ahmad Azuan (47th) and Rafiq Raze (54th). Midfielder Harieq Afi Rishaudin was rested after sustaining a head injury in Malaysia's 4-0 win over Kazakhstan on Thursday, which required four stitches. Head coach Sufian Mohd was pleased with the dominant display but stressed the need to improve from set-pieces. "My forwards played well against a defensive Indonesia. We scored six goals from penalty corners and four from open play," said Sufian. Malaysia will next face Taiwan on Sunday.
