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KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia came from behind twice to edge Chile 3-2 and register their first win in a hard-fought Group C match in the Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela, India, today.
Chile, despite making their maiden appearance on the World Cup stage, gave the Speedy Tigers a torrid time and the team coached by Jorge Dabanch even took the lead twice before Norsyafiq Sumantri ensured victory in the 41st minute.
Malaysia, currently ranked world number 11, started the match on a positive note and came close to taking the lead in the second minute but Muhammad Firhan Ashaari’s shot went wide. However, despite the early scare, Chile, ranked world number 22, shocked coach A. Arul Selvaraj and his boys by taking the lead in the 19th minute through Juan Amoroso’s penalty corner strike.
Six minutes later Malaysia drew level with the country’s own penalty corner specialist Muhammad Razie Abd Rahim equalising from a penalty corner in the 25th minute but three minutes later Martin Rodriguez restored Chile’s lead when he nailed a quick counter-attack.
Stunned by the second goal, Malaysia showed more urgency when the second half started and, from one such move, Mohamad Ashran Hamsani scored a well coordinated field goal in the 40th minute to once again draw level.
The equaliser seemed to have restored the confidence of the Speedy Tigers and just a minute later Norsyafiq ensured all three points for the nation with a penalty corner strike. – Bernama, January 16, 2023
