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Malaysia meet their 'Waterloo' against France for second loss in hockey tour of Belgium

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia fell 3-2 to France in their first friendly at Waterloo Ducks Hockey Club in Belgium today.

World No 11 France took the lead in the very first minute off a penalty corner. And, three minutes later, they doubled their lead through a field goal.

France kept up the pressure and made it 3-0 off another penalty corner.

Malaysia fought back in the fourth quarter by scoring two goals in three minutes.

Najib Abu Hassan struck a field goal in the 52nd minute and Razie Abdul Rahim sounded the board off a penalty corner in the 55th minute.

National coach Arul Selvaraj said that France took them by surprise in the first quarter.

"They started off well and took their chances. We made a few circle penetrations but failed to score.

"But my players came back strongly in the fourth quarter to score two goals to show that we have the energy and physical strength to fight back.

"I was expecting them to win the match today but we wasted a few scoring chances."

Last week, Malaysia stunned world No 2 and Olympic champions Belgium, who paraded a mixed team of juniors and seniors, 1-0.

But in the second match, Belgium, powered by their national players, hammered Malaysia 7-0.

Malaysia are playing a series of international friendlies in Belgium to prepare for the World Cup in January.

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