Malaysia scored its second point in the men’s Asian Games hockey tournament after a 2-2 draw against Japan on Wednesday. In other men’s action in Doha, Qatar, Pakistan booked its first victory by winning 10-1 against Hong Kong. Later in Wednesday, three matches in the women’s competition at the Asian Games are scheduled.
Malaysia is the ‘king of the draws’ so far. After a 1-1 draw against Pakistan on Monday, the Malaysian team grabbed one point against Japan. In the first half, Japan took the lead after a goal of Takahiko Yamabori in the ninth minute. It took Malaysia some time to level the match, but three minutes before halftime, Boon Huat Chua put the 1-1 on the scoreboard.
The second half was almost a copy of the first one. Japan took the lead thanks to a second goal of Takahiko Yamabori. Malaysia came back quickly and scored the equalizer out of a penalty corner.
This result will make the fight for a place in the semifinals even harder as it opened up pool A completely. Three teams have the possibility to claim one of the two final four spots: Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia.
Pakistan came back after the surprising draw against Malaysia earlier in the Asian Games by winning against Hong Kong 10-1. It was an easy match for the Pakistani, who were able to work on their confidence. The next matches against Taipei and Japan will be decisive.
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