KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia created history in the men's Hockey 5s World Cup after beating Poland 4-3 to qualify for the final in Muscat, Oman on Tuesday.
Malaysia will face the Netherlands in the final tomorrow. The Dutch defeated hosts Oman 5-3 in the semi-final.
On target for Malaysia were Arif Syafie Ishak (seventh), Kamarulzaman Kamaruddin (19th) and Akhimullah Anuat Esook ( 22nd and 24th),
The Poles replied through Damian Jarzembowski (ninth), Wojciech Rutowski (27th) and Jakub Holosyniuk (30th).
Captain Akhimullah, who has scored 10 goals so far in Muscat, said: "It's not going to be easy against Netherlands in the final as they are the number one team in the world. But we are going to fight till the end."
Coach Wallace Tan said: "Poland came back strongly in the second half but we managed to defend well to win the match.
"Netherlands are a solid team who have beaten India, Pakistan and other strong teams to reach the final."
Netherlands are going for a double as their women's team won the Hockey 5s World Cup gold by defeating India 7-2 in the final last week.
Malaysia Hockey Confederation president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said the national team will be rewarded for reaching the final.
Subahan also commended coach Wallace for taking three months unpaid leave from his job to help prepare the Malaysian team.