PHNOM PENH – The national men’s and women’s indoor hockey squads continued their rampage against the Philippines in group actions at the 2023 SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia here today.
The national men’s team unleashed their power when they defeated the Philippines’ men’s squad 19-0 while the national women’s team blasted their women's squad, 12-0, in the competition held at Dinosaur Park Hall, Chroy Changvar.
In the men’s event, striker Faridzul Afiq Mohd scored four goals with the first goal coming through a penalty corner as early as the first minute, followed by the 15th, 21st and 34th minutes, while midfielder Syed Mohamad Syafiq Syed Cholan also shared the same number of goals in the 16th, 25th, 26th and 29th minutes.
The five national players who each scored two goals were Abdul Khaliq Hamirin (third and 12th minutes), Muhammad Izham Azhar (fourth and 25th), Adam Aiman Mamat (eighth and 30th), Danial Asyraf Abdul Ghani (17th and 30th) and Razali Mohd Hazemi (28th and 37th) while Muhammad Firdaus Omar also joined the scorer list with a penalty corner in the 23rd minute.
After successfully defeating Cambodia 10-1 in the opening action yesterday, national men’s indoor hockey squad head coach, Mohd Hanip Che Halim was elated that the players remained committed in following the tactical plan so that they could translate all the opportunities presented to them well.
“The Philippines may be new to the game of indoor hockey. So, for today’s game, we will use it to address the weaknesses found in yesterday’s match in preparation for the meeting against Thailand (May 4) and Indonesia (May 6),” he said after the match.
In the meantime, two women’s squad players scored hat-tricks against the Philippines with defender, Fazilla Sylvester Silin starting the goal galore in the 11th, 23rd and 35th minutes while striker Iren Hussin scored her first goal, in the 12th minute followed by goals in the 13th and 23rd minutes.
Two more players scored two goals namely Surizan Awang Noh (eighth and 29th) and Raja Norsharina Raja Shabudin (16th and 37th) while Nuraslinda Said and Nor Asfarina Isahyifiq Isahhidun each also found the net in the sixth and 39th minute.
Meanwhile, national women’s indoor hockey squad head coach, Mohd Badrul Hisham Osman, was satisfied to see the improved performance displayed by his team in today’s match compared to their emphatic 8-0 victory over Singapore yesterday.
He also hopes to provide fierce opposition to their main challenger, Thailand, to further ensure Malaysia can collect three full points in the third match tomorrow. – Bernama, May 2, 2023
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