Malaysia again registered a double-digit score in the men’s hockey in the Asian Games with a thumping 10-0 win over Thailand in a Group B match at the Gelora Bung Karno Hockey in Jakarta on Wednesday.
In the first match, the Malaysians smashed Kazakhstan 16-2 and the win over the Thais left hockey chief coach Stephen van Huizen a happy man but he is also aware that tougher matches await his team.
“We play Bangladesh in an afternoon match but the heat should not be a factor as we need to display a high level of consistency throughout the match. This will negate the humid conditions.
“We are prepared as ever to face the tougher teams after the relatively two easy matches,” said Stephen.
Malaysia plays Bangladesh on Friday and Pakistan on Sunday – matches which Malaysia need to win if they want to top the group to avoid playing India, likely winners of Group A.
The goal scorers against the Thais were Meor Azuan Hassan, Faizal Shaari, Firhan Ashari, Razie Rahim, Azri Hassan, Shahril Saabah (two goals), Amirol Aideed, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin and Fitri Shaari.
The Asian Games champions will get an automatic berth to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
