Oman go down to Malaysia in FIH WHL Round 2

MUSCAT: After making a promising start to their campaign in the FIH World Hockey League (WHL) Round 2 competition, Oman went down to Malaysia in the Bangaldeshi capital of Dhaka on Saturday.

Oman, who are being coached by India’s K.K. Poonacha, found the Malaysians too hot to handle and suffered a 6-1 loss in their second match of Pool A.

On Saturday, Oman made a rousing start to the competition thrashing Fiji for a 7-0 victory.

On Sunday, Mohammed Al Lawati scored Oman’s lone goal in the 37th minute after Malaysia has taken a 3-0 lead.

Malaysia opened their account as early as 11th minute through Saabah Shahril before Rahim Razie and Ahmad Tengku struck a goal each in the 26th and 33rd minutes respectively.

Aiman Nik Rosemi made it 4-1 for Malaysia with a fine goal in the 42nd minute before Ahmad Tengku struck his second and the team’s fifth in the 48th minute. Aiman completed the Malaysian tally with another field goal in the 53rd minute.

In another Pool A match, Bangladesh defeated Fiji by a 5-1 margin.

In Pool B, Ghana outlasted Sri Lanka for a 5-4 victory and Egypt defeated China 3-2.

After a rest day, the action resumes on Tuesday when Oman face Bangladesh, Malaysia take on Fiji, China meet Sri Lanka and Ghana play Egypt.

The Dhaka competition, one of the three WHL Round 2 events, concludes on March 12.

The top two from each of the three Round 2 events will gain direct entry into the WHL semifinals. The semfinals, to be played as two separate events, will take place England and South Africa in June and July while the WHL Finals are scheduled to be held in India in December.