Speedy Tigers stopped by Japan in ACT
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia lost 2-1 to Japan today but still advanced to the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) semi-finals at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, Punjab, India.
Malaysia faced a narrow 2-1 defeat to Japan in the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) semi-final held at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, Punjab, India. The match saw Japan, currently in second place with 10 points, narrowly edge out Malaysia, who finished the tournament in third with nine points. Coached by South African Brendon Carolan, Malaysia will meet Japan again in the semi-final match on Wednesday.
Japan had the opportunity to take the lead in the eighth minute but failed to convert a penalty stroke by Jun Watanabe. However, Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal scored for Malaysia in the second minute, giving them the lead. Japan responded quickly, with Kentaro Fukuda equalizing in the 24th minute and securing the winning goal in the 54th minute.
Earlier, Bangladesh managed their first point of the tournament with a 1-1 draw against China.
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