It was a hockey match with a tennis score. Malaysia scored a resounding 6-2 victory over reigning champions South Korea to reach their first final in the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai on Friday.
The scoring barrage at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium was orchestrated by Faizal Saari, Shello Silverious, Abu Kamal Azrai, and Najmi Jazlan for Malaysia. South Korea's contributions came courtesy of Woo Cheon Ji and skipper Jonghyun Jang.
It was South Korea who grabbed the lead just three minutes in, as Ji found the mark with a well-executed field goal. However, Malaysia responded in the next minute, Azrai exhibiting individual skill to restore parity with a field goal.
In the ninth minute, Jazlan got onto the scoresheet for Malaysia, capitalizing on a penalty corner rebound. Korea retaliated in the 14th minute through Jang's powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner, leveling the contest once more.
The second quarter ushered in a flurry of action, with Malaysia being awarded a penalty corner four minutes in. Saari converted the opportunity, bolstering Malaysia's advantage. Jazlan continued his scoring spree in the 21st minute, notching his second goal from another penalty corner. Despite Malaysia's persistent attacks, Korea's staunch defence limited the halftime lead to 4-2 in favour of Malaysia.
The action heated up even more in the third quarter. Malaysia's Khaliq Hamirin got a yellow card in the 41st minute. South Korea was granted a penalty corner shortly thereafter, and the ensuing referral led to a penalty stroke. However, goalkeeper Hafizuddin Othman thwarted Jihun Yang's attempt, maintaining Malaysia's advantage.
As the final quarter commenced, Silverius made his mark just a couple of minutes in, converting Ashran Hamsani's setup into Malaysia's fifth goal. In a seamless sequence, Silverius tapped in his second goal in the following minute, capitalizing on Seunghoon's deflection of Najib Hassan's pass.
With a change in goalkeepers for South Korea —Jaehan Kim replacing Jaehyeon Kim—the scoreboard remained unaltered, sealing Malaysia's impressive victory and their historic first trip to the final.
