Speedy Tigers virtually in Asian Games semi-finals after edging Pakistan

KUALA LUMPUR: The national men's hockey team fought back in the last four minutes to edge Pakistan 5-4 in an Asian Games Group B match in Gifu today, virtually qualifying for the semi-finals.

World No. 15 Malaysia now top the group with 12 points from four matches and will face China in their final group match on Monday.

World No. 12 Pakistan took the lead in the third minute via a penalty corner set-piece, but the Speedy Tigers fought back to take a 2-1 lead through Shello Silverius in the fifth minute and Faizal Saari in the 23rd.

However, Sufyan responded with goals in the 39th and 43rd minutes off penalty corners to hand Pakistan a 3-2 lead.

Fitri Saari then levelled for Malaysia in the 45th minute, only for Pakistan to take the lead again through Sufyan in the 46th.

Undeterred, Malaysia continued attacking and equalised through Shello in the 56th minute to draw level.

Just when both teams looked set to share the spoils, the Speedy Tigers scored the winner through Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal three minutes from time to record a victory over the former champions.