The two teams treated the 6,000-odd fans, including Sultan Perak Sultan Azlan Shah, to an entertaining match and the national players deserve credit for an outstanding performance.
Malaysia got their goals through Kelvinder Singh in the first minute and Mohd Amin Rahim (23rd minute) while Pakistan replied through Muhammad Ateeq (22nd), Shakeel Abbasi (28th) and Mohamed Saqlain (60th).
Malaysia started the game by going on the offensive, catching Pakistan by surprise to score in the very first minute when midfielder Kelvinder deflected a cross by S. Selvaraju into goal.
The Pakistani players protested, saying that there had been an infringement by a Malaysian player but umpire Devendra Patel of New Zealand stuck to his decision.
Five minutes later Malaysia scored again but this time Mohd Amerullah Abdul Aziz’s effort was disallowed by Patel.
Pakistan, who have qualified for the Beijing Olympics, fought back and equalised in the 22nd minute off their second penalty corner through Muhammad Ateeq’s low flick.
A minute later, Malaysia regained their lead when Amin scored off their second penalty corner.
Again Pakistan hit back. A quick counter attack in the 28th minute saw Shakeel scoring from the top of the D.
Malaysian players protested that Shakeel had scored from outside the semi-circle but umpire Ged Curran of Ecuador waved them away.
Malaysia laid siege on Pakistan’s goalmouth in the second-half, looking for the winner but to no avail.
It was Pakistan who landed the sucker punch when Mohamed Saqlain deflected Muhammad Ateeq’s penalty corner into goal in the 60th minute.
National coach Sarjit Singh was full of praise for his players despite the defeat.
“My boys played their best match this year but failed to convert the chances they had. I am proud of their commitment and fitness level. I am sure the players can continue to improve,” said Sarjit.
In two earlier matches Argentina beat Belgium and New Zealand defeated Pakistan
Argentina got a well-deserved 2-1 win over Belgium through a late Tomas Innocente Argento goal in their opening game.
The South Americans went on the offensive from the start but had to wait until the 33rd minute before opening their account through Martin Ezequiel Sosa. Belgium hit back with a Jerome Truyens field goal in the 54th minute.
In an earlier match, New Zealand came back from two goals down to edge a young Indian team 4-3.
India’s Sandeep Singh scored a hat-trick to mark his return to action after almost a year out with injury. His goals came in the 14th, 20th and 60th minutes.
Unfortunately for him, and India, New Zealand – who will feature in the Beijing Games – prevailed with goals from Andrew Hayward (22nd minute), Simon Child (35th), Phillip Burrows (45th) and Gareth Brooks (54th).
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