Aussie lads edge Malaysian hockey juniors

The national hockey junior squad suffered another setback after they were edged 3-2 by Australia in the Sultan of Johor Cup (Under-21) at the Taman Daya Stadium yesterday.

This is Malaysia's second consecutive defeat after the defending champions lost 5-2 to New Zealand in an earlier match.

The national squad displayed some brilliant moves early in the game but were shocked with an early goal by Australia's Blake Govers through a penalty flick in the 23rd minute.

National player Muhammad Firhan Ashaari, however, equalised through a penalty flick in the 35th minute followed by a goal by Amir Farid Ahmad Fuzi in the dying minutes of the first half.

The national junior team had to play with nine men when both captain Muhammad Noor Feez Ibrahim and Shazril Irwan were sent off in the 50th minute for protesting umpire Coen van Bunge's decision.

Aussie lad Flynn Ogilvie scored the equaliser in the 52nd minute while Kane Posselt netted the winning goal in the 60th minute.