Hockey Asia Cup 2025: Malaysia inches closer to final, Japan made to work for 2-0 win
On what felt like the least sweltering day of the tournament thus far, the 2025 Asia Cup roared back to life after a much-needed rest day. On Wednesday, Malaysia took the first step towards the final, while Japan started its journey towards a consolation fifth place.
In the first Super 4s contest, the high-flying Malaysians went up against a resolute China, which has turned out to be the surprise package of this tournament. The Chinese were quick to come off the blocks and take the attack to the Speedy Tigers. China earned two penalty corners (PC) in the first 15 minutes but failed to convert. It kept the pressure on Malaysia in the second quarter, but once again failed to convert the chances.
In the third minute of the third quarter, the palpable tension gave way to a scuffle when Malaysia’s Fitri Saari’s stick caught the knee of Shihao Du. After a lengthy referral, Malaysian skipper Marhan Jalil and Yuanlin Lu of China were shown yellow cards and given 10-minute suspensions for the fracas.
Umpires try to separate the players of Malaysia and China during a scuffle.
| Photo Credit:
Swapan Mahapatra/PTI
Umpires try to separate the players of Malaysia and China during a scuffle.
| Photo Credit:
Swapan Mahapatra/PTI
The tight game opened up once both the suspended players were allowed to re-enter the field. Malaysia gambled and committed bodies forward and earned its second PC of the match. From captain Jalil’s injection, Syed Cholan broke the deadlock with a fierce dragflick with less than a minute to go for the end of the quarter.
Saari, whose unintentional action led to the earlier tussle, then showed incredible ball control as he glided past half of the Chinese players to set up Akhimullah Anuar to score the second two minutes into the final quarter. China tried really hard but couldn’t match Malaysia’s quality inside the attacking ‘D’. It missed all four of its penalty corners and subsequently suffered a 0-2 loss in the opening Super 4 fixture.
After the match, coaches of both sides downplayed the effect of the tussle in the third quarter. Malaysian coach Sarjit Kaur said, “The umpire should have blown the whistle because there was a dropped stick before Saari’s stick hit the opponent. It was completely unintentional. But I agree with the yellow cards – it was completely unnecessary.”
In the next match, Malaysia will face India, while China will be up against defending champion South Korea.
Earlier in the day, the battle for redemption was on between Chinese Taipei, winless in Pool B, and a determined Japan, whose Super 4s dreams were dashed by goal difference.
The light breeze flowing from the south made things a bit easier for the players in the midst of the harsh afternoon sun. Japan started the 5-8th place classification match with a point to prove after a heartbreaking 2-2 draw against China.
Chinese Taipei’s goalkeeper Ting-Shuo Hsu saves a goal.
| Photo Credit:
Swapan Mahapatra/PTI
Chinese Taipei’s goalkeeper Ting-Shuo Hsu saves a goal.
| Photo Credit:
Swapan Mahapatra/PTI
Japan, which likes to hunt its opponent with counterattacks, had possession of the ball from the onset. Yoshihiro Anai’s team wasted no time launching attacks on the Taipei goal, which had conceded 30 goals in three matches. Within the first five minutes, Japan took the lead through Ryosuke Shinohara, who finished a simple chance.
Six minutes later, Shinohara was found by Kaiti Tanaka on the edge of the ‘D’ after making a darting run from the right. Shinohara controlled the ball and clinically put it beyond the goalkeeper to make it 2-0. At the end of the first quarter, it looked like the Taipei players were in for another tough day. However, the young team showed remarkable resistance in the restart. It not only kept Japan’s attackers at bay but also occasionally ventured forward.
The goalless second quarter was followed by another 15 minutes of intense Japanese siege on the Taipei goal. The penalty corner defence, which had troubled coach Yun-Chang Wang’s young side throughout the campaign, looked solid. Goalkeeper Ting-Shuo Hsu had a good outing. For Japan, it was a frustrating afternoon post the first quarter. It failed to convert any of its four penalty corners and looked outwitted by Taipei’s low block.
Japan’s attackers seemed to have left their shooting sticks at the hotel for three golden chances went abegging in the last two quarters. Japan might have taken the result, but the performance embodied its disappointing Asia Cup campaign.
Published on Sep 03, 2025