Sultan Azlan Shah Cup: Malaysia Notches First Win Against Canada

IPOH, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- The national hockey squad finally scored their first win at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup when they beat Canada 3-2 in their second match at Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium here tonight.

Malaysia, champions of 2022, scored their first goal in the fourth minute through a field goal by Akhimullah Anuar but Canada replied eight minutes later with a field goal by Sean Davis.

Canada, who drew 1-1 with Belgium yesterday, then went ahead in the 16th minute with a goal by Matthew Sarmento off a penalty corner, only to allow Malaysia’s Abu Kamal Azrai equalise through a field goal in the 19th minute.

Malaysia then clinched victory through Faizal Saari’s goal from a penalty corner in the 24th minute, and will play India in the third match at 8 pm, Wednesday, while Canada will play New Zealand at 4 pm and South Korea will play Belgium at 6 pm.

Earlier today, the opening match of the day between New Zealand and South Korea began at 4 pm as planned with New Zealand winning 3-1, but heavy rain that began at 6 pm caused the second match between Belgium and India to be postponed after three minutes and it is scheduled to continue at 10 am tomorrow at the same venue.

Malaysia’s match against Canada, scheduled at 8 pm, only began at 10.08 pm due to unsuitable field conditions due to rain.

-- BERNAMA