KUALA LUMPUR: The national men's team went on a goal spree to thrash Hong Kong 24-0 in the Sultan Nazrin Shah Cup International Indoor Hockey Championship today (November 8).
Muhammad Firdaus Omar stole the show at the Indera Mulia Stadium in Ipoh, Perak with five goals as Muhamad Izham Azhar and Wan Haziq Hisyamuddin Wan Ameer Ruzman netted four goals each.
Syed Mohamad Syafiq Syed Cholan and Mohd Shafiq Yaacob bagged a hat-trick each; Faridzul Afiq Mohd and Muhammad Aslam Mohamed Hanafiah scored a brace each; while Danial Asyraf Abdul Ghani chipped in with one goal.
The victory is a timely boost for Malaysia as they prepare to take on South Africa in their last match in the round-robin format on Friday (November 10), especially after coach Mohd Hanip Che Halim's men had earlier lost 2-1 to New Zealand earlier in the morning at the same venue today (November 8).
Against New Zealand, Malaysia shot ahead through Faridzul Aqif Mohd in the ninth minute before the Kiwis hit back through Symonds Matthew (16th minute) and Houlbrooke Isaac (33rd minute).
Malaysia are now in second spot in the six-team standings. The top two teams will square off in the final on Saturday (November 11). – BERNAMA