Blow for Malaysia as they lose to Pakistan

MALAYSIA’S hopes of securing a safe passage to the hockey final has taken na massive blow.

The team lost 4-1 to Pakistan in the e Group B match at the Gelora Bung g Karno Hockey Stadium last night an d will most probably cross path wi ith defending champions and world NNo. 5 India in the semi-finals.

Pakistan top the table with 12 points while Malaysia are second with nine points.

Pakistan are expected to top the group unbeaten when they take on Bangladesh in their final match tomorrow.

Malaysia’s last match in the group is against Oman.

Group B champions will take on Group A runners-up, which could be one of these teams – Japan, South Korea or Taiwan. Group B runners-up face Group A champions India. Y Yesterday, Pakistan’s goals were scored b by Muhammad Irfan (fifth minute), A Ajaz Ahmad (37th, 46th), Mubashar A Ali (42nd) while Malaysia’s solitary g goal came through Faiz Helmi Jali ( 10th).

Malaysia’s coach Stephen Van Huizen saidid the turning point was when Fitri Saari and Faiz were sent to the sin bin in the second half.

“It was hard to defend with nine players against a good team like Pakistan. They capitalised on the situation to take the lead ... we tried to narrow the deficit but they played well,” said Stephen.

“We’ll have a tougher match against India in the semi-final but it’s not an impossible match to win. We were not the favourites in the 2010 Asiad but defeated India to advance to the final.”