KUALA LUMPUR: A two-minute blitz saw Ireland beat Malaysia 3-0 in the semi-finals of the Nations Cup in Potchefstroom, South Africa today.
World No 10 Malaysia held back the Irish for 40 minutes, but collapsed in the 41st and 43rd minutes when Benjamin Walker and Jeremy Duncan scored field goals.
And it was all over for coach Arul Selvaraj's men when Duncan picked up his brace with a 52nd-minute field attempt.
"Altough we controlled the match and won penalty corners, they scored two easy goals and in the end it was a disappointing finish.
"We must bounce back inside 24 hours to at least win a bronze medal,"
said national coach Arul Selvaraj.
Skipper Najmi Jazlan said: "I am very disappointed with the result.
"But still, after rest and recovery we will play for the bronze medal with an eye to be on the podium."
The Speedy Tigers are in the process of building a team for the Bhubaneswar-Rourkela World Cup next month.
Five regulars did not travel to South Africa due to injury.