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New Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Vibrant Speedy Tigers crush South Korea in second friendly
KUALA LUMPUR: The national men's hockey team hammered world No. 14 South Korea 4-1 in their second friendly at Jincheon Training Centre on Thursday. World No. 13 Malaysia, who are preparing for next month's Nations Cup in Bukit Jalil, scored through Akhimullah Anuar Esook (sixth), Nursyafiq Sumantri (17th), Muhajir Abdu Rauf (23rd) and Harris Iskandar Osman (44th). The Koreans replied off a penalty corner in the eight minute. Malaysia had three penalty corners and converted one. On Wednesday, Sarjit Singh's side beat their rivals 4-1 in the first friendly. The Speedy Tigers will take on the Koreans again on Saturday.
New Straits Times
03-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysia's Speedy Tigers not so slow this time
KUALA LUMPUR: The national men's hockey team usually go to Australia for friendly matches. And usually they would get beaten — badly too. This time, world No. 13 Malaysia ended their fourth and final friendly in Perth with a crushing 6-1 loss to world No. 6 Australia yesterday. The Speedy Tigers had the short-lived thrill of taking the lead through Akhimullah Anuar Esook before Australia scored six goals. In this tour, Malaysia drew once and lost thrice against the Kookaburras. Earlier, they lost 5-2 and 4-1. But on Thursday, the Speedy Tigers did something commendable. They didn't lose this time. In fact Malaysia led 4-1 before Australia levelled the scores 4-4. Days before the friendlies against the Kookaburras, Malaysia edged Western Australia 2-1 but suffered a 6-0 defeat to Australia A, which is their development team. The Speedy Tigers scored a total of 10 goals and conceded 26 in six matches. The trip Down Under has left Malaysian Hockey Confederation coaching committee chairman Datuk Majid Manjit Abdullah on a high. He said the national team had shown improvement in the matches. "I spoke to national coach Sarjit and he was happy with his team's fitness level. The players played with fast tempo and even took a 4-1 lead in the third friendly before the match ended in a draw. "We played quality matches and we managed to narrow the gap with the Australian national team. We hope to play more matches with the Australian team later this year. "However, there is much to be done as there are weaknesses in defence as we conceded a number of goals. The forwards also need to be sharper and we need to improve our penalty corner conversion." Sarjit's men, who are preparing for the Nations Cup in Bukit Jalil from June 15-21, are drawn in Group B with world No. 12 New Zealand, Pakistan (No. 15) and Japan (No. 16). Group A comprises world No. 9 France, South Africa (No.11), South Korea (No. 14) and Wales (No. 18). He has set a semi-final target for the team.
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Speedy Tigers edge Western Australia in friendly
KUALA LUMPUR: Speedy Tigers edged Western Australia 2-1 in a friendly in Perth on Wednesday. Forward Akhimullah Anuar Esook and Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan netted for world No. 13 Malaysia at the Curtain University Hockey Stadium. It was Speedy Tigers' first match since they finished sixth in the Asian Champions Trophy in China in September last year. Sarjit Singh's men will play another friendly against Western Australia on Thursday, followed by matches against the Australian national team on April 28, April 29, May 1 and May 2. Malaysia are using the matches to prepare for the Nations Cup in Bukit Jalil on June 15-21.
