KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian men's indoor hockey team dethroned eight-time champions Iran in the Asia Cup final in Bangkok today.
World No. 21 Malaysia held world No. 3 Iran 4-4 in regulation time before emerging 3-2 winners in a nerve-wrecking shootout.
Malaysia also avenged their 3-0 defeat by Iran in a round robin match days earlier.
Unfortunately for Malaysia, this edition of the Asia Cup does not offer a ticket to the Covid-delayed Indoor World Cup in Pretoria, South Africa (in February, next year) because the 2019 results will be used instead.
Malaysian men's team coach Amin Rahim said: "Even though this edition does not offer a World Cup ticket, the entire team is on cloud nine as we had lost earlier to Iran, but we made it count when it mattered most."
Malaysia's goals were scored by Ashran Hamsani (12th, 36th), Shello Silverius (16th) and Norhafizie Jamil (26th). In the shootout, Malaysia's heroes were Izham Azhar, Norsyafiq Sumantri and Shello Silverius.
Malaysia had more reason to celebrate after the national women's team beat six-time champions Kazakhstan 2-0 for bronze. Defending champions Kazakhstan were never in the game as Malaysia scored via two penalty strokes in the 15th and 39th minutes.
The first was converted by Iren Hussin, and Nur Aisyah Yaacob scored one minute from time against Kazakhstan.
The Malaysian women are ranked world 21st and Kazakhstan are 13th.
"Even though my players entered the arena knowing that Kazakhstan were higher ranked and the defending champions, that did not stop them from dominating the match," said Malaysia women's team coach Rodzhanizam Mat Radzi.
"I am proud of my players' resilience as they bounce back from the semi-final defeat by Indonesia and show that they are worthy bronze winners."
For the record, Malaysia were the inaugural women's indoor Asia Cup winners in 2009 in Ipoh. But Kazakhstan won the gold in the next six editions. In 2019 in Bangkok, the Malaysian women finished fourth. - NST
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