Malaysia thrashed 7-0 by Belgium

KUALA LUMPUR: Olympic champions Belgium thrashed Malaysia 7-0 in their second hockey friendly at the Sportcentrum Wilrijkse Plein in Antwerp today.

In the first friendly match on Tuesday, world No. 2 Belgium fielded a mixed team of seniors and juniors, and lost 1-0.

In today’s match, world champions Belgium fielded their strongest team, scoring goals in all four quarters.

Malaysia, ranked 10 in the world, also lost 4-2 in a penalty shootout practice after the match.

National coach A. Arul Selvaraj said: “We did well to make 21 circle penetration compared to Belgium who had 28 penetrations. We earned two penalty corners but failed to convert while Belgium converted two of the four they received.

“My players lacked confidence and they did not fight hard enough for the ball in the opponents’ circle. That was the difference in today’s match.”

Malaysia will play another two friendly matches against France on Oct 4 and 5.

“We must go and win both the matches against France and show more maturity in the two games,” said Arul Selvaraj whose team are preparing for

next year’s World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India.

NST