Malaysian Men's Team Finish Third In Indoor Hockey Asia Cup

KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) – Malaysian men’s hockey squad secured third place at the 2019 Indoor Hockey Asia Cup in Chonburi, Thailand, while the women’s team ended their campaign in fourth place Sunday. In the third/fourth place playoff match, the men’s team whipped Uzbekistan 6-3, thanks to a hat-trick from skipper Mohd Hanip Che Halim through penalty corners in the seventh, 25th and 32nd minutes. Malaysia’s other goals were scored by Muhammad Firdaus Omar in the third and 31st minutes and Muhamad Aminudin Mohd Zain in the 23rd minute, while the opponents netted through Enver Ismailov (6th min) and Ruslan Satlikov (9th & 38th min). Meanwhile, the women’s squad, the champions of the inaugural edition in Ipoh in 2009, ended in fourth place following a 0-1 defeat in the penalty shootout to the Uzbekistan women after both teams were tied 1-1 in regular time. Uzbekistan opened scoring through Kamilia Adizova in the 32nd minute but Malaysia equalised through Nor Asfarina Isahyifiqa Isahhidun in the 40th minute. The Malaysian teams’ dream of a maiden Indoor World Cup appearance was dashed by Kazakhstan last night when both the men’s and women’s teams lost the semifinals against the same nation, as only the champions will earn the automatic berth to the world meet. -- BERNAMA