Malaysia made a flying start in the Hero Asia Cup 2017 with a thrashing 7-1 victory over China in the first Pool B match at Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium in Dhaka Thursday while reigning champion South Korea defeated Oman comfortably 7-2 in the day's second game at the same venue.
Tengku Tajuddin gave the Malaysians the breakthrough in the 12th minute when they won back-to-back penalty corners before Faizal Saari doubled the lead from a counter attack. Tengku Tajuddin netted again in the 19th minute while Malaysia’s drag-and-flick specialist Razie Rahim extended the lead further from a penalty corner. Shahril Saabah scored a brilliant field goal in the 35th minute and Faizal Saari continued the scoring spree when he netted his third in the 41st minute.
Six-up at the start of the final quarter, Malaysia only looked to increase their lead but their defenders dropped their guard just a little bit towards the end of the match and China capitalised as Wenhui scored a field goal in the 56th minute. Malaysia finally ended the match with a 7-1 victory with Ramadan Rosli scoring in the last minute.
RESULTS
Malaysia 7 1 China
South Korea 7 2 Oman
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