[UPDATED] Indoor Hockey Asia Cup: Malaysia wins final after defeating Iran

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian hockey saw a historic moment today as the national indoor team beat defending champions Iran in the final of the Men’s Indoor Hockey Asia Cup in Bangkok, winning 3-2 in a shoot-out after the match ended 4-4 at full time.

This was the first time Malaysia has won the tournament. 

“I am grateful to have made history for Malaysian hockey even though it is indoor hockey. I have to praise the determination of the players who gave it their all and achieved their target,” said Malaysia coach Amin Rahim. 

“Each player has given their best performance, and this is the result of their hard work. 

“It is not easy to play seven matches in eight days, but the players have given their best. 

“I hope there will be more attention given to indoor sports as it has shown great potential to perform at a higher level, such as the World Cup.”

Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal told The Vibes that the win is an historic moment for the sport in Malaysia, adding that nobody expected the team to beat the world no 3 and favourites Iran.

“I am ecstatic. I have no words to say. What a moment this is for Malaysian hockey. We are ranked 21 in the world and now we are Asian champions.

“This is a great achievement because the team had to train under budget constraints and had less than a month to prepare for the tournament. The team proved everyone (including me) wrong by winning it,” he said.

Subahan added that MHC has not been focusing on indoor hockey due to budget issues but added that now, with this achievement, the association will give more attention to the development of the sport.

“We (the association) had to scrape the barrel to send both (men’s and women’s) teams to Bangkok. I hope that after this win, the government can help provide us with more funding to develop our indoor hockey.

“This is the first time we are bringing back the trophy as normally we would finish runners-up or (in the) top four. I know the entire team worked so hard for this and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for this win,” said Subahan.

At the same time, he congratulated the women’s team who finished third after defeating Kazakhstan in the third/fourth playoff earlier today.

“I know the girls are disappointed because they went to Bangkok to win it, but third place is still a good achievement. Both teams have shown that they can go all the way to achieve great things,” he said.

Meanwhile, national team manager and former talisman of Malaysian hockey, Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi echoed Subahan, adding that the victory was amazing because it was unexpected.

“The players beat the odds. Beating a strong team such as Iran in the final, is something you don’t see every time.

“It was a difficult task to beat Iran, but the boys proved that it was not impossible. The team made us believe that if you play with your heart and soul, anything can be achieved,” said Mirnawan. – The Vibes, August 15, 2022