Malaysia hold India to a 3-3 draw

Malaysia and India played to a 3-3 draw in the Sultan of Johor Cup International Under-21 Hockey Championship at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium here today.

However, the result did not help Malaysia's position in the table standings with the hosts still at the bottom with just four points.

Malaysia will now have to settle for the fifth/sixth placing match playoff.

Project 2013 coach Muhammad Dharma Raj, however, did not see Malaysia's performance as a failure, saying the other teams had taken the national Under-21 team seriously.

"The tournament also helps us to capitalise on our strengths and improve on our weaknesses ahead of the World Junior Hockey Championship in New Delhi next year," he told the post-match press conference.

In today's match which was delayed by about two hours because of heavy rain, Akashdeep Singh put India ahead in the 19th minute.

Stunned, Malaysia went on the offensive but tight defending and good goalkeeping by Shushant Tirkey kept the marauders at bay.

India punished Malaysia further in the 26th minute when Gagandeep Singh converted a penalty corner.

The never-say-die attitude of the Malaysians was well rewarded when Muhammad Noor Faeez Ibrahim scored the hosts first goal with just seven minutes to go before half time.

In the second half, Malaysia cancelled the one-goal deficit when Muhammad Firhan Ashari beat Shushant Tirkey in the 45th minute.

India then again went ahead when Gumail Singh slotted home from the D in the 58th minute but Malaysia assured themselves a point when Muhammad Noor Faeez rose to the occasion three minutes from time.

In the other matches played yesterday, Germany beat Pakistan 3-0 while Australia defeated New Zealand 5-1.

Germany will meet India to determine the champion while Malaysia will meet New Zealand for the fifth and sixth placing.

Pakistan will meet Australia for the third and fourth spots.