KUALA LUMPUR: The national men’s hockey team had to accept a 4-7 defeat against Ireland in the 9th to 16th place classification match of the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup on Saturday (Aug. 21).
Ireland started the match strongly when Jonathan Lynch struck a penalty corner in the 12th minute before going on to complete a hattrick through two field goals in the 8th and 24th minutes.
Matthew Nelson then added Ireland’s fourth goal via a field goal in the 19th minute to put Malaysia in a difficult position.
However, the Speedy Tigers did not give up as Muhammad Azimuddin Syakir Kamaruddin opened the country’s scoring through a penalty corner in the 29th minute.
Malaysia continued trying to narrow the gap through Amirul Hamizan Azahar, who successfully converted a penalty corner in the 36th minute, but Ireland replied a minute later through John McKee, also from a penalty corner situation.
Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal ensured that Malaysia continued to put up a fight by scoring the country’s third goal via a penalty corner in the 41st minute.
However, Ireland further extended their lead when Nelson secured his second field goal in the 39th minute before Benjamin Walker completed his team’s seventh goal through a penalty corner in the 54th minute.
Experienced forward, Faizal Saari, then scored Malaysia’s fourth goal via a field goal a minute later, but it was not enough to prevent Ireland from ending the match with a 7-4 victory.
Malaysia will next take on South Africa on Sunday (Aug. 23). – BERNAMA
