Malaysian Junior Hockey Team Edging Closer to Quarter-finals in Youth Olympic Games

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- National men’s junior hockey are moving closer to book their berth into the quarter-finals of the men’s five-a-side event in 2018 Youth Olympic Games after whipping Zambia 7-2 in their third group A match in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Tuesday (Wednesday in Malaysia). It was Malaysia’s third straight wins, having whitewashed Vanuatu 14-0 and defeating Mexico 4-2 in two previous matches. In the match against Zambia, Malaysia are trailing behind after Dominic Mulenga scored a field goal for the opponent in the second minute before Muhammad Noor Firdaus Rosdi equalised with a field goal, a minute later, according to the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) Facebook page. Mulenga, however, scored his second goal for Zambia in the third minute, only to see Malaysia added six more goals. All remaining six goals were scored by Mohamad Akhimullah Anuar Esook in the fifth minute, 10th, 12th and 19th minute while other goals came via a field goal by Muhammad Amirul Hamizan Azahar in the ninth minute, and Syarman Mat Tee in the 12th minute. Malaysia will wrap up their preliminary fixtures against hosts Argentina on Wednesday (Thursday in Malaysia). For the record, Malaysia did not qualify in two previous edition – 2010 in Singapore and 2014 in China. Meanwhile, national women’s singles shuttler, Goh Jin Wei advanced into the last eight after emerged as the group C winner. Jin Wei, who already clinched two victories, defeated Anne Spoeri of Germany; 21-7, 18-21 and 21-9 in her third match. -- BERNAMA