SOJC 2019: Malaysia lose 2-4 to India

by Theleaders-Online | October 13, 2019 1:56 am

JOHOR BAHRU: Malaysia began its campaign in the Sultan of Johor Cup (SOJC) under-21 international hockey tournament on the wrong footing when they lost 2-4 to India at Taman Daya Hockey Stadium here tonight.

The squad under Nur Saiful Zaini Nasiruddin had started promisingly by taking the lead in the eighth minute through Muhammad Amirul Haniff Mamat’s goal.

Malaysia widened the lead one minute later when Muhammad Hafizi Zainuddin scored from a penalty corner.

However, their joy did not last as B J Kariappa’s squad reduced the deficit in the 19th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Rajbhar Rahul.

India equalised in the 33rd minute through Pratap Lakra, also from a penalty corner.

India scored two more goals to claim victory, a penalty corner hit in the 39th minute by Lakra Shilanand and Singh Uttam’s effort in the 60th minute.

In the opening match in the afternoon, Australia edged Japan 2-1.

Australia’s goals were scored by Ehren Hazell in the third and 33rd minutes while Japan netted through Takuwa Niwa in the 15th minute.

In another match, defending champions Great Britain beat New Zealand 2-0, with goals from Russell Tom in the 34th minute and James Oates in the 58th minute.

Tomorrow, Malaysia plays Australia, India meet New Zealand and Japan takes on Great Britain.

Source URL: https://theleaders-online.com/sojc-2019-malaysia-lose-2-4-to-india/

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