Costly yellow card sinks Malaysia's hopes at Nations Cup
A yellow card to Mohammad Fitri Saari in Malaysia's Group B heartbreaking 4-3 defeat against New Zealand at the FIH Nations Cup 2025 yesterday was a costly mistake, according to Speedy Tigers head coach Sarjit Singh.
The experienced Fitri should have stayed out of trouble to keep Malaysia's momentum alive in their hunt for a semi-final spot, Sarjit said.
'Hopefully, the boys know. I hope Fitri knows. I mean as a senior player you need to watch out on that because the team needs you. Because you are one of the main players in the team, but I don't want to blame anybody,' he told reporters after the match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil here last night.
A yellow card means a five-minute suspension, while a green card sidelines a player for two minutes.
Defender Faiz Helmi Jali admitted that playing a man down disrupted Malaysia's flow, especially when they were controlling the game.
'It was a small slip-up. We were down to 10 players for nearly 15 minutes, and it was tough to hold the line. Spaces opened up, and New Zealand pounced. That yellow card really shifted the game.
'We're fired up now. We've yet to taste victory on home soil, so no matter what happens between Pakistan and New Zealand, we're going all out to win our last game,' Faiz Helmi said.
Goalkeeper Mohd Hafizuddin Othman shared that the suspensions made his job tougher, facing a barrage of attacks from New Zealand, especially in the final quarter.
'We had a 3-0 lead at home, but those cards changed everything. Against a side like New Zealand, turnovers and open spaces hurt us badly,' he said.
Malaysia, who led 3-0 at one stage, lost their grip after yellow cards to Fitri Saari (44th minute) and Muhajir Abdul Rauf (52nd minute), plus a green card to Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan (40th minute). New Zealand capitalised, firing in four goals (44', 45', 46', 52').
The loss leaves Malaysia with one point, sitting third in Group B. They now face a must-win showdown against bottom-placed Japan on Wednesday, while hoping Pakistan (four points) stumbles heavily against group leaders New Zealand (six points).
Only the top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals, with the bottom two fighting for fifth to eighth place.
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The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Sarjit feeling blue over yellow cards and collapse against Kiwi boys
Malaysian players trying to stop the Kiwis during their group match at Bukit Jalil —CHAN TAK KONG/The Star PETALING JAYA: Senior players in the national hockey squad should lead by example but they did not and, head coach Sarjit Singh was left disappointed after Malaysia's 3-4 loss against New Zealand in the Nations Cup yesterday. Malaysia's hopes of making it to the semi-finals took a serious hit after they blew a commanding 3-0 lead against the Black Sticks at the National Hockey Stadium and jeopardised their chances of making it to the semi-finals. The match's turning point came when Malaysia were given two yellow cards in the second half to seasoned midfielder Fitri Saari (44th minute) and Muhajir Abdu Rauf (52nd), which allowed New Zealand to put four past the host in just eight minutes. Sarjit said the cards were completely avoidable, and was frustrated with the team's decision-making in the final quarter. "It's both disappointing and frustrating. We had full control of the match. There was no danger, and three points were in the bag," said Sarjit. "But one mistake by Fitri in the centre, and he got a card, and they (New Zealand) scored all their goals. He pointed out that senior players such as 32-year-old Fitri should set a good example, as his yellow card was what led to New Zealand finding their way back. "As a senior player, you need to watch out because the team need you; you are one of the main players," said Sarjit. "But I don't want to blame anyone. The boys played well, but the cards let us down," he said. Malaysia's three goals came courtesy of Akimullah Anuar Esook (18th minute), Fitri (38th), and Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal (39th). New Zealand scored in quick succession right after Fitri was shown the yellow card, thanks to their player advantage, with goals coming from Finn Ward (44th minute), Simon Yorston (45th), and Sean Findlay (46th). After Muhajir too was shown the card and sent to the penalty box, Ward stepped up and scored their fourth goal in the 52nd minute. Sarjit admitted that it was a tough lesson to take, but one the team had to face before their final group stage match against Japan tomorrow. Malaysia only have one point after two matches following their opening 3-3 draw against Pakistan on Sunday. They need to win their final match against Japan tomorrow to keep their semi-finals hopes alive.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Discipline lapses cost us the game, says Sarjit after New Zealand comeback
A yellow card to Mohammad Fitri Saari in Malaysia's Group B heartbreaking 4-3 defeat against New Zealand at the FIH Nations Cup 2025 yesterday was a costly mistake, according to Speedy Tigers head coach Sarjit Singh. The experienced Fitri should have stayed out of trouble to keep Malaysia's momentum alive in their hunt for a semi-final spot, Sarjit said. 'Hopefully, the boys know. I hope Fitri knows. I mean as a senior player you need to watch out on that because the team needs you. Because you are one of the main players in the team, but I don't want to blame anybody,' he told reporters after the match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil here last night. A yellow card means a five-minute suspension, while a green card sidelines a player for two minutes. Defender Faiz Helmi Jali admitted that playing a man down disrupted Malaysia's flow, especially when they were controlling the game. 'It was a small slip-up. We were down to 10 players for nearly 15 minutes, and it was tough to hold the line. Spaces opened up, and New Zealand pounced. That yellow card really shifted the game. 'We're fired up now. We've yet to taste victory on home soil, so no matter what happens between Pakistan and New Zealand, we're going all out to win our last game,' Faiz Helmi said. Goalkeeper Mohd Hafizuddin Othman shared that the suspensions made his job tougher, facing a barrage of attacks from New Zealand, especially in the final quarter. 'We had a 3-0 lead at home, but those cards changed everything. Against a side like New Zealand, turnovers and open spaces hurt us badly,' he said. Malaysia, who led 3-0 at one stage, lost their grip after yellow cards to Fitri Saari (44th minute) and Muhajir Abdul Rauf (52nd minute), plus a green card to Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan (40th minute). New Zealand capitalised, firing in four goals (44', 45', 46', 52'). The loss leaves Malaysia with one point, sitting third in Group B. They now face a must-win showdown against bottom-placed Japan on Wednesday, while hoping Pakistan (four points) stumbles heavily against group leaders New Zealand (six points). Only the top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals, with the bottom two fighting for fifth to eighth place.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Costly yellow card sinks Malaysia's hopes at Nations Cup
A yellow card to Mohammad Fitri Saari in Malaysia's Group B heartbreaking 4-3 defeat against New Zealand at the FIH Nations Cup 2025 yesterday was a costly mistake, according to Speedy Tigers head coach Sarjit Singh. The experienced Fitri should have stayed out of trouble to keep Malaysia's momentum alive in their hunt for a semi-final spot, Sarjit said. 'Hopefully, the boys know. I hope Fitri knows. I mean as a senior player you need to watch out on that because the team needs you. Because you are one of the main players in the team, but I don't want to blame anybody,' he told reporters after the match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil here last night. A yellow card means a five-minute suspension, while a green card sidelines a player for two minutes. Defender Faiz Helmi Jali admitted that playing a man down disrupted Malaysia's flow, especially when they were controlling the game. 'It was a small slip-up. We were down to 10 players for nearly 15 minutes, and it was tough to hold the line. Spaces opened up, and New Zealand pounced. That yellow card really shifted the game. 'We're fired up now. We've yet to taste victory on home soil, so no matter what happens between Pakistan and New Zealand, we're going all out to win our last game,' Faiz Helmi said. Goalkeeper Mohd Hafizuddin Othman shared that the suspensions made his job tougher, facing a barrage of attacks from New Zealand, especially in the final quarter. 'We had a 3-0 lead at home, but those cards changed everything. Against a side like New Zealand, turnovers and open spaces hurt us badly,' he said. Malaysia, who led 3-0 at one stage, lost their grip after yellow cards to Fitri Saari (44th minute) and Muhajir Abdul Rauf (52nd minute), plus a green card to Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan (40th minute). New Zealand capitalised, firing in four goals (44', 45', 46', 52'). The loss leaves Malaysia with one point, sitting third in Group B. They now face a must-win showdown against bottom-placed Japan on Wednesday, while hoping Pakistan (four points) stumbles heavily against group leaders New Zealand (six points). Only the top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals, with the bottom two fighting for fifth to eighth place.
