NAGOYA, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- Experienced hitman Faizal Saari bagged a hat-trick to inspire the national men’s hockey team to trounce Uzbekistan 7-0 for a flying start to their 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games campaign in Gifu, Japan, today.
In the Group B opener at Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium, Faizal scored a 15th-minute field goal, a 24th-minute penalty corner goal and a penalty stroke goal in the 43rd minute.
Malaysia’s other goals came courtesy of Norsyafiq Sumantri (11th minute, penalty corner); substitute Azimuddin Syakir Kamaruddin (36th minute, penalty corner); Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal (59th minute, field goal); and defender Faiz Helmi Jali (60th minute, field goal).
The Speedy Tigers, coached by South African Brendon Carolan, will take on Oman in their second Group B match on Tuesday (Sept 22).
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which officially opened yesterday, will conclude on Oct 4.
-- BERNAMA
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