M’sia one step closer to Youth Olympics hockey gold

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia are moving closer to secure a historic gold medal in the men’s fivea-side hockey event after advancing into the final in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Saturday (Sunday in Malaysia).

Wallace Tan boys’ put up a superb performance as they edged Zambia 7-4 in the semi-final match held at Youth Olympic Park.

Malaysia took a 2-0 lead via a field goal from Mohamad Akhimullah Anuar Esook and Muhammad Noor Firdaus Rosdi in the first and third minute, but Andrew Moyo reduced the deficit for Zambia via a field goal in the sixth minute before Muhammad Noor Firdaus scored his second goal in the match via a field goal a few seconds later, according to the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) Facebook page.

The national junior side then added four more field goals through Mohamad Akhimullah Anuar Esook in the 8th and 20th minute, Muhammad Muhibuddin Moharam in the 11th minute and Syarman Mat Tee in the 12th minute.

Zambia, however, manage to scored three more field goals through Phillimon Bwali in the 14th and 17th minute and Moyo in the 18th minute.

Malaysia will meet India in the gold medal match on Sunday (Monday in Malaysia).

India advanced into the final by defeating the host Argentina 3-1 in another semi-final match.

For the record, Malaysia did not qualify in two previous edition – 2010 in Singapore and 2014 in China. - Bernama