https://ttsreader.com/ https://www.naturalreaders.com/online/
Malaysia’s first ever Men’s FIH Hockey5s World Cup final did not have an ideal ending as the team secured a silver medal following a 5-2 loss against the Netherlands in Muscat, Oman early this morning.
However, despite the despair, it was nevertheless a thrilling journey for the Malaysians who brought glory to the nation! Yes, we know what happened, and the players gave their very best till the end of their campaign to stand on top of the podium.
The team can justifiably be proud of the silver medal, having successfully built their senior side up from junior level over the past few years. Six of their players were part of the squad that clinched the gold medal at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, which was played in the Hockey5s format.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) President Dato’ Seri Subahan Kamal had earlier congratulated the team for making it to the final. “On behalf of MHC, I congratulate the players, coach Wallace Tan and team officials on a great showing in the Men’s FIH Hockey5s World Cup. We are thrilled at the performance of our team. This team have set a great example for all upcoming hockey players in the country.”
Malaysian team captain Akhimullah Anuar was adjudged the best player of the FIH Hockey5s World Cup that was introduced for the first time. Pakistan’s Hannan Shahid received the best junior player award while his fellow countryman Waheed Ashraf Rana was the top scorer with 23 goals.
The Netherlands dominated the final with a 5-2 victory over Malaysia, but they didn’t have things going all their own way.
The Dutch went ahead from a Van Der Drift Yannick challenge in the first minute only for Malaysia to equalise from a rebound off the baseline a minute later through Akhimullah. The Dutch then built a 3-1 lead before half-time and looked comfortable.
But Muhammad Omar hammered one in from long range in the opening minute of the second half to reduce the deficit 3-2, but the Malaysians failed to convert some very good opportunities in the riveting 10 minutes that followed, allowing the Dutch to reassert control and then scored two late goals to secure the title.
Well, Malaysia did not win the gold as much as we would have liked but this team had a wonderful experience throughout the journey and coach Wallace Tan and his gutsy band of players certainly deserve to celebrate this silver medal.
Meanwhile, there was joy for hosts Oman who overcame Poland in an exhilarating encounter to secure the bronze medal. And Pakistan clinched the Challenger Trophy, for those teams that didn’t make it through to the quarter-finals, after a convincing 10-1 victory over Switzerland.
The action-packed tournament saw a total of 507 goals being scored in total over the four days of matches in Muscat, Oman.
Tournament awards:
Gold medallist: NETHERLANDS
Silver medallist: MALAYSIA
Bronze medallist: OMAN
Winners of the Men’s Challenger Trophy: PAKISTAN
Runners-up of the Men’s Challenger Trophy: SWITZERLAND
Best Goalkeeper: Joey van Walstijn (NED)
Best Junior Player: Hannan Shahid (PAK)
Top Scorer (23): Waheed Ashraf Rana (PAK)
Best Player: Akhimullah Anuar (MAS)
Final positions:
1. Netherlands, 2. Malaysia, 3. Oman, 4. Poland, 5. India, 6. Egypt, 7. Kenya, 8. Trinidad and Tobago, 9. Pakistan, 10. Switzerland, 11. Australia, 12. New Zealand, 13. USA, 14. Nigeria, 15. Fiji, 16. Jamaica
Date of Input: 12/05/2024 | Updated: 12/05/2024 | zawinnadjah
Universiti Putra Malaysia
43400 UPM, Serdang
Selangor Darul Ehsan
