# Australia register a whopping 19-0 win over debutants USA
# India edge Japan 3-2 in afternoon thriller
Malaysia, winners of the inaugural Sultan of Johor Cup in 2011, got off to a losing start on the opening day of the 7th edition of the annual Invitational Under-21 tournament at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru on Sunday.
The young Malaysian team conceded a 51st minute goal for Great Britain to snatch a 1-0 win through Duncan Scott whose shot went through the pads of Malaysian goalkeeper Muhammad Zaimi Mat during a goalmouth melee.
Malaysia head coach Wallace Tan blamed the defeat on Malaysia’s “many missed chances” but took it in his stride.
“They are young…only 17 and 18 years old and lack experience, which was another contributing factor to our defeat,” said Wallace.
Earlier it was goals galore when debutants United States of America took the field against defending champions Australia. Australia scored freely in their massive 19-0 win – the highest ever score registered in the tournament since the Sultan of Johor Cup was inaugurated in 2011.
Nathan Ephraums scored five goals while Isaacr Farmilo helped himself to four and Joel Rintala registered a hat-trick. Andrew Scanlon and Damon Steffens scored two each while Coby Green, Liam Flynn and Jacob Anderson netted one each.
The goalkeepers of the two teams it was two contrasting situations. It was a nightmare for American custodian Nathaniel P’Lari while his Australian counterpart was in comfort zone.
In the first match of the day two-time champions India struggled to a 3-2 win over last year’s third place winners Japan.
India head coach Jude Felix Sebastien was not too happy with his team’s penalty conversions and said: “We had eight but could only score two.”
India, winners of the Sultan of Johor Cup in 2013 and 2104, had their hero in Dilpreet Singh who score the opener and the winner in the 11th and 53rd minutes respectively. India’s other scorer was Sukhjeet Singh in the 41st minute.
Japan’s goal came through Kyohei Ogawa in the 23rd and 31st minutes.BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
RESULTS
India 3 Japan 2
Australia 19 USA 0
Great Britain 1 Malaysia 0
- Advertisement - 
