KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s score against Bangladesh was impressive, but not the performance.
Though the Speedy Tigers beat Bangladesh 4-1 in their Asia Cup Group B opener at the Rajgir Sports Complex in Bihar, India, today, their fitness was not up to the mark and they looked disorganised.
In fact, world No. 29 Bangladesh surprised world No. 12 Malaysia by taking the lead through Ashraful Islam off a penalty corner in the 16th minute.
Malaysia saved themselves the blushes by coming back to score through Ashran Hamsani (25th), Akhimullah Anuar Esook (36th), Muhajir Abdu Rauf (48th) and Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan (54th).
It was Malaysia’s fifth win over Bangladesh since 2014, and at the Asia Cup in Jakarta in 2022, the Speedy Tigers won 8-1.
Malaysia coach Sarjit Singh said his men’s performance was good, but they wasted a lot of scoring chances.
“We were 1-0 down but came back in the third and fourth quarters. We need to take our chances at the beginning of the game and not wait until the last quarter.”
Sarjit said Malaysia need to defend well against world No. 13 and defending champions South Korea tomorrow, and make use of their chances.
“If we make use of our chances well, then we have a chance to win,” he added,
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
