Malaysia end Pakistan’s unbeaten run

Malaysia kept the pressure and it paid dividends when they struck through Saari Faizal in the 23rd minute who hit it from short corner to take 2-1 advantage.

However it did not deter the Green-shirts and they staged a superb fight-back when Sufyan struck two back-to-back goals through penalty corner in the 39th and 43rd minute to put the Green-shirts 3-2 ahead. Two minutes latter Malaysia brought the parity through a strike from  Fitri Saari.

However a minute latter Sufyan landed his fourth goal to once again put Pakistan 4-3 ahead. And it seemed that Pakistan would be able to keep the upper hand but Malaysia had thought otherwise.

Shello Silverius struck in the 56th minute via short corner before Azari Abu Kamal landed the winner in the 57th minute to seal a thrilling win for Malaysia. This was the fourth straight win for Malaysia and it took them to 12 points at the summit.

The loss left Pakistan on the second spot of the group with nine points. Sufyan’s four goals also propelled him to the summit with nine goals, all coming through penalty corners. India’s Dilpreet Singh follows also with nine goals.

Pakistan will now face Oman while Malaysia will meet China in their group final matches on Monday. Two teams from this group will make it to the semi-finals. China trail third with six points from three matches.

India lead Group A with nine points, followed by Japan also with nine points.