JAKARTA: Coach Stephen van Huizen has accepted the blame for Malaysia’s heartbreaking loss to Japan in the Asian Games men’s team hockey final on Saturday.
"I am fully responsible for the defeat, as my players gave everything they had in the match,” said van Huizen.
"There were also some decisions (by the umpires) which did not side us.”
On Malaysia squandering their big lead, van Huizen said such cases do happen in sport, when the opponents raise their game, those with a comfortable lead keep making mistakes.
"It is very painful, it (the pain) will be with me forever, it (gold) was in our hands but we let it go," said van Huizen after the final.
Malaysia were leading 5-2 at one stage, but allowed Japan to fight back and draw 6-6 before winning the shootout 3-1.
Van Huizen said everybody in the squad was shattered, as they had come so close to qualifying for the Olympics.
"If the Malaysian fans are disappointed we failed to win gold, imagine our feelings. We know the silver is still precious, but we wanted the gold.”
On the match, the coach said he had reminded the players not to go for a big win, as a one-goal victory would be enough. But due to certain reasons and nervousness, everything fell apart.