National hockey squad beat Canada 4-3

The national hockey squad recorded their first win in the final group match at the Champions Challenge 1 tournament with a 4-3 victory over Canada at the Indera Mahkota Hockey Stadium, here, on Tuesday night.

Malaysia lying at the bottom of Group B will next face New Zealand in the quarter-finals on Thursday.

The national hockey squad lost 2-3 to France in the opener and later 1-3 to South Korea in the second match.

In Tuesday night's game, Canada opened the score in the 5th minute through captain Scott Tupper with a penalty stroke.

But Malaysia equalised one minute later via a field goal by Tengku Ahmad Tajudin Abdul Jalil before Muhammad Shahril Saabah put the local team one up in the 19th minute.

The joy was, however, shortlived, as Canada equalised 2-2 with a field goal in the 30th minute by Gabriel Ho-Garcia.

In the second half, Malaysia were once again in the lead at 3-2 with a penalty corner converted by Muhammad Shahril in the 40th minute.

Canada, however, caught up again to even the score at 3-3 through Scott Tupper before Tengku Ahmad Tajudin delivered the winning goal for Malaysia in the 55th minute to settle the game at 4-3.

Earlier, Group B leaders, South Korea defeated France 3-2.

In Group A, New Zealand blasted Poland 8-3 while Ireland shocked Japan 1-0.

In the quarter-finals on Thursday, Malaysia will meet Group A champions New Zealand while Canada will meet Poland.

Group B champions, South Korea will be squaring off with Japan while France will meet Ireland.