KUALA LUMPUR: The national men's hockey squad confirmed their slot in the semi-finals of the 2022 Men's International Hockey Federation (FIH) Nations Cup after thrashing Japan 5-1 in the final Group B fixture in South Africa today.
The victory saw the squad led by A. Arul Selvaraj collect six points to finish second behind South Korea, with nine.
In the match held at the NWU Astro Stadium in Potchefstroom today, the national team opened the scoring in the second minute through Muhammad Najib Abu Hassan's field goal, before Japan equalised through Kosei Kawabe's field goal in the fifth minute.
Stunned by the goal, the 'Speedy Tigers' continued to launch a series of attacks which finally paid off when Muhammad Aminuddin Mohd Zain completed a penalty corner in the 23rd minute, before Faizal Saari scored the third from open play in the 34th minute.
Malaysia - ranked 10th in the world - continued to display an excellent performance, scoring the fourth goal in the 39th minute through Muhammad Najib, before Mohamad Ashran Hamsani scored the fifth a minute later to seal the game.
The country's experienced goalkeeper Muhammad Hafizuddin Othman was named man of the match.
Head coach Arul Selvaraj said the win shows that the maturity and quality of the National players is improving as they are able to remain resilient to overcome their Japanese opponents until the final minutes.
"A win to be proud of and that too a big win for the country. Before this we have played against Japan twice and both times won 5-0 and 4-2. Today we beat them 5-1 and such results can serve as a confidence booster in the event that we play against Japan again.
"...and as for defending penalty corners, we allowed easy access for Japan but we managed to defend all eight penalty corners awarded to them, well. This is the result of work done during the pre-match meeting to study and analyse ways to defend Japan's penalty corner attempts and today we executed that well," he said in a video recording that was made available to the media.
He said the Speedy Tigers need a good rest and start preparing for another excellent performance in the semifinals against Ireland on Saturday (Dec 3).
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Thu Dec 01 2022
The national men's hockey squad confirmed their slot in the semi-finals of the 2022 FIH Nations Cup after thrashing Japan 5-1 in the final Group B fixture in South Africa today. - Facebook/MHC
Beware of scam tactics using AI
The drastic development of AI technology is being taken advantage of by scammers to reap huge profits by using various latest tactics.
Fired and rehired - the dizzying confusion of Trump's government overhaul
They have adopted a blunt force approach toward the wholesale firing of workers, often focusing on workers who are easier to fire.
Arab states scramble to counter Trump's Gaza 'Riviera' plan
Arab states trying to devise an alternative plan have yet to tackle critical issues like who will foot the bill for Gaza's reconstruction.
Chinese universities launch DeepSeek courses to capitalise on AI boom
Universities across China have launched artificial intelligence courses this month based on Chinese AI startup DeepSeek.
Astronomers reveal 3D structure of an alien planet's atmosphere
Astronomers find three layers on a scorching gas planet orbiting a star larger and hotter than the sun.
Public flips car involved in road accident to rescue child
According to JBPM, members of the public at the scene took initial action to rescue the victim before the fire brigade arrived.
Ramsay reveals hundreds of lucky cat statues stolen from new restaurant
Gordon Ramsay says about 477 Japanese cat models called maneki-neko were stolen from his Lucky Cat 22 Bishopsgate restaurant.
Zayn Rayyan case: Two child witnesses complete testimony today
So far, 20 prosecution witnesses, including the two children, have been called for this trial, according to the Deputy Public Prosecutor.
Macron says he will tell Trump not to be weak with Putin in Washington visit
Emmanuel Macron says showing any weakness to Russia's Vladimir Putin would make it harder to deal with China and Iran.
Israeli PM Netanyahu says Hamas will pay for not returning Shiri Bibas
Netanyahu accuse Hamas of acting "in an unspeakably cynical manner" by placing body of a Gaza woman in the coffin instead of Shiri Bibas.
Trump pulls US out of key global climate assessment, sources say
The US is a co-chair along with Malaysia of a working group on climate mitigation, or ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Japan to court Tesla on Nissan investment, FT reports
The group hopes Tesla will invest strategically, believing it's interested in acquiring Nissan's US plants, the report says.
185 children linked to GISB handed over to families - Exco
The children have been handed over to their families on bond with conditions by the court.
IRS fires 6,000 employees as Trump slashes US government
The move will eliminate roughly 6% of the agency's workforce in the midst of the busy tax-filing season.
Elon Musk wields chainsaw at conservative gathering, a gift from Argentina's Milei
This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy, says Elon Musk.
![[OPINION] For never again the world must know more about the Khojaly genocide](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/41740112820_KhazarUniversity.jpg "[OPINION] For never again the world must know more about the Khojaly genocide")
[OPINION] For never again the world must know more about the Khojaly genocide
For Azerbaijanis, the Khojaly genocide is more than a historical event - it is a collective trauma that shapes their identity and worldview.
Israeli military says body released by Hamas is not of a hostage
Two bodies were identified as infants, but a third, believed to be their mother, Shiri, didn't match any hostage and remains unidentified.
Key takeaways from Trump-Putin talks: Ukraine, energy, NATO, sanctions
Here's what is known so far about what was discussed.
![[COLUMNIST] Whose rights? Islam, eurocentrism and the limits of human rights](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-09/41726025526_UnitedNations.jpg "[COLUMNIST] Whose rights? Islam, eurocentrism and the limits of human rights")
[COLUMNIST] Whose rights? Islam, eurocentrism and the limits of human rights
For as long as rights are understood on Occidental terms, problems would inevitably remain. What is needed is an appreciation of diversity.
Argentina court clears 3 accused in singer Liam Payne's death
The court upheld the pre-trial detention of a hotel employee and a restaurant waiter held since last month.