Malaysia Beat Pakistan 3-2 in Johor Cup Hockey Thriller as Pakistan Finish With Eight Players

JOHOR BAHRU: Pakistan’s winning run in Johor Cup hockey came to a halt on Wednesday night, and they had only themselves to blame for much of it. Malaysia beat them 3-2 at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium, a third straight win that keeps the hosts top of the table and all but certain of a place in Saturday’s final.

A penalty stroke wasted, then a fightback

Pakistan had the first real opening. In the 12th minute they won a penalty stroke, only for Malaysia’s goalkeeper to read Rana Waleed’s flick and keep it out. The hosts made them pay soon after, T. Naaveennash Panicker putting Malaysia in front. Pakistan responded well. Adeel levelled in the 36th minute and scored again seven minutes later, and at 2-1 the visitors looked in control of the match they had trailed.

Three cards in seven minutes wreck the finish

The game turned on discipline. In the 51st minute Waleed was shown a red card for striking a Malaysian player on the forehead with his stick, leaving Pakistan with ten men. Three minutes later Ghulam Mustafa went into the book as well, and the pressure told almost at once: Safwan Salihe equalised in the 55th minute and Panicker struck the winner two minutes after that. When Asam Haider picked up another yellow card in the 58th minute, Pakistan were down to eight players, with no way back.

Pakistan, who beat China 8-3 and Canada 6-2 in their first two matches, still sit second in the standings and face Japan in their last round-robin match on Friday. Malaysia, unbeaten in three, close their group matches against Canada the same day.