MALAYSIA LOST BECAUSE JAPAN WERE CLINICAL IN ATTACK, SOLID IN DEFENCE - AMIRUL

IPOH, May 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysian defender Muhammad Amirul Hamizan Azahar has attributed their 2-1 loss to Japan in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament to their opponent's well-drilled, highly disciplined and swift attack.

If that's not enough, the Japanese defence was rock solid, having been breached just four times so far in this tournament at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium here, compared to Malaysia who have conceded 13 goals thus far.

The defeat has resulted in the Speedy Tigers failing to defend the title they won for the first time in the 2022 edition.

The 24-year-old Muhammad Amirul, however, said the defeat to Japan was not the end for the team as they still have to meet South Korea in their last round-robin fixture tomorrow, in addition to their expected third-placing playoff against world number 10 New Zealand on Saturday (May 11).

"We cannot blame the defence or attack because we lose as a team. Perhaps, in yesterday's match (against Japan), our attack was a little blunt. But then again, in this tournament, we have scored 17 goals in four matches.

"Although we created many chances (including being awarded five penalty corners), we failed to make them count. When we are in a tournament, it's no longer a learning process but at the implementation stage, whereby we put into practice what we have learned… otherwise, we'll get punished,” he told reporters.

The win over Malaysia sees Japan reaching the final for the first time and they will square off against Pakistan. Both teams have 10 points while Malaysia are in third spot with six points.

Malaysia had earlier bounced back from their opening 5-4 defeat by Pakistan to beat Canada 6-2 and New Zealand 6-4 to become the tournament's highest-scoring team, edging the Kiwis by one goal.

South Korea head coach Min Taeseok is aware of Malaysia's goal-scoring abilities and intends to draw up a plan to beef up his team's defence.

"Our next game will be tough. Malaysia is a very strong team and the players are very fast. We will strengthen our defence and not allow the Malaysians much space to move and score,” he said. 

Tomorrow's other matches to complete the preliminary round schedule will see Japan and three-time champions Pakistan squaring off while Canada will face New Zealand.

Malaysia won the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup for the first time in the 2022 edition after finishing runners-up five times since the tournament's inception in 1983.

-- BERNAMA