KUALA LUMPUR: The Speedy Tigers blew their chance of sealing early qualification for next year’s World Cup after crashing out of the Asia Cup final race on Saturday.
Sarjit Singh’s men only had themselves to blame as they squandered a 3-1 lead to defending champions South Korea, slumping to a 4-3 defeat in their final Super Fours match at the Rajgir Sports Complex in Bihar, India.
The result left Malaysia with just three points from three matches, not enough to make the final of the four-team competition.
Although the world No. 12 side showed flashes of quality, failing to reach the final is a major setback for a team ranked second in Asia behind only world No. 8 India.
After storming into a 3-1 lead on Saturday, Malaysia’s defence fell apart, conceding three goals in seven minutes to gift Korea victory.
The Speedy Tigers will now face either India, China or Korea in Sunday’s third-place playoff.
Malaysia’s goals came from Fitri Saari (ninth minute), Nik Aiman Nik Rozemi (29th) and Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan (31st).
But five-time champions Korea, famed for their fighting spirit and discipline, struck back through Kim Hyeon Hong (24th, 51st), Oh Se Yong (44th) and Lee Jung Jun (50th).
Malaysia threw caution to the wind by withdrawing goalkeeper Hafizuddin Othman for a power play in the final four minutes, but they wasted three penalty corner chances and could not find a way through.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
