By Tony Mariadass

National hockey coach Arul Anthoni Selvaraj was in a more praising mood for his team despite having to comeback from an early goal down to beat China 5-1 in the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) hockey tournament at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai last night.

It was Malaysia’s second consecutive victory at the ACT after their opening match victory 3-1 victory over Pakistan on Thuraday.

China surprised by scoring first through a third-minute penalty corner by Chen Chongcong but Malaysia were back in the game with Faizal Saari converting a 10th-minute penalty corner to draw level, while Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal scored through another penalty corner in the 14th minute to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead.

Then Malaysia increased their lead only in the 44th minute as Azrai scored his second through a field goal.

Firhan Ashaari, who scored two goals against Pakistan, scored the third goal last night through another field goal in the 48th minute to make it 4-1 and before Malaysia rounded up the game as Najmi Farizal Jazlan converted a penalty corner in the 56th minute.

Azrai double strike earned him the Man of the Match award.

China had come to the game with their opening 2-7 defeat to host India.

Arul who took his players to task for a poor performance despite their 3-1 victory over Pakistan, was a happy man yesterday when he told Apa Khabar:

“It was very good controlled performance, very calm, well positioned and simple two touch hockey and we moved the ball well.

“The nice thing was controlled performance – a very organised performance. Of course China was playing a lot of half court, so that allowed us to handle the ball.”

Asked if he was concerned when Malaysia conceded an early goals he said:

“Don’t want to sound arrogant, but no. I believe in my players and what they are capable of.”

Malaysia will have a rest on today, before returning to action tomorrow where they will meet hosts India.

“Against India it will be a different story. India will come hard and press, so we need to be doing the same but in a quicker manner and faster ball pace.”

The national team is receiving raving and superlative reports and television commentaries in India and saying Malaysia is playing so much better than they were two years ago, but Arul is keeping his feet firm on the ground.

“It good to hear all the nice comments, but we are got getting carried with it and will continue to remain focused and take one game at a time and give our very best in each game and enjoy it. It is the Asian Games gold that is our ultimate target,” underlined Arul.

Asian Champions Trophy 2023 hockey group stage results and scores:

August 3, Thursday
Korea 2-1 Japan
Malaysia 3-1 Pakistan
India 7-2 China

August 4, Friday
Korea 1-1 Pakistan
China 1-5 Malaysia
India 1-1 Japan

August 6, Sunday
China vs Korea
Pakistan vs Japan
Malaysia vs India

August 7, Monday
Japan vs Malaysia
Pakistan vs China
Korea vs India

August 9, Wednesday
Japan vs China
Malaysia vs Korea
India vs Pakistan

Asian Champions Trophy 2023 hockey knockout/classification round

August 11, Friday
Fifth place game – Fifth in group vs Sixth in group
Semi-final 1 – Second in group vs Third in group
Semi-final 2 – First in group vs Fourth in group

August 12, Saturday
Third place game – Loser semi-final 1 vs Loser semi-final 2
Final – Winner semi-final 1 vs Winner semi-final 2