KUALA LUMPUR: In a rare feat, the national men's indoor squad whipped Australia 8-2 in their opening Sultan Nazrin Shah Cup match at the Indera Mulia Stadium in Ipoh today.
Izham Azhar stood out as he scored a hat-trick for Malaysia in the 23rd, 24th and 35th minutes.
The other goals came from Danial Asyraf (ninth), Syed Syafiq Cholan (13th), Firdaus Omar (16th), Faridzul Afiq (22nd) and Shafiq Yaacob (32nd).
Jett Leong (10th) and Ross Hall (14th) replied for Australia.
National coach Hanip Che Halim said: "Our simple game approach paid off against Australia. It was a good win against a higher-ranked team."
In their second match of the day, Malaysia fought tooth-and-nail before losing 7-5 to Namibia.
Faridzul Afiq (seventh), Syed Syafiq (22nd, 29th, 40th) and Danial Asyraf (27th) scored for Malaysia.
Malaysia are ranked 15th in the world, one rung below Australia and two spots below Namibia.
They will take on New Zealand and Hong Kong on Wednesday in the round-robin tournament.
The national women's indoor team will open their campaign in the Tuanku Zara Cup tomorrow against South Africa, followed by Namibia at the same venue.
The Malaysian teams are using the tournaments to prepare for next year's Asia Cup.
RESULTS
Men: South Africa 19 Hong Kong 0, Namibia 3 New Zealand 2, Australia 2 Malaysia 8, South Africa 6 New Zealand 1, Hong Kong 2 Australia 24 Malaysia 5 Namibia 7.
FIXTURES
TOMORROW
Women: Malaysia v South Africa (9.30am), Australia v New Zealand (11am), Namibia v Switzerland (12.30am), South Africa v New Zealand (2.30pm), Australia v Switzerland (4pm), Malaysia v Namibia (5.30pm).
* All matches at the Indera Mulia Stadium, Ipoh