KUALA LUMPUR: The Young Tigers showed up in the second half, but it was not enough to deny Australia a 5-2 win and a quarter-final spot from Group A of the Junior World Cup (JWC) today.
Australia had acres of space to run and score three goals in the first quarter against the Malaysian team at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Coach Amin Rahim's hair-dryer treatment at half-time spurred his boys as they managed to score two goals with another denied due to the ball being stopped on the line during a penalty corner set piece in the second half.
The inconsistent Malaysians will now play in the 9th-16th classification match against Group B fourth-placed team Egypt on Monday.
Australia scored through Cooper Burns (second minute), Jake Lambeth (sixth, 28th), Campbell Geddes (15th, 45th),Harris Iskandar Osman (21st) and Shafiq Ikhmal Daniel (44th) replied for Malaysia.
Amin and his team have taken full responsibility for falling short of the quarter-finals target.
The target is now to finish ninth.
"Yes, there was no consistency today. We let in three goals and then tried to chase back in the second half. It was the same situation when we played in the Sultan of Johor Cup last month
."My players and I take full responsibility for not achieving the target.
"However, we were underdogs to Argentina and Australia, and now, we will strive to finish ninth," said Amin.
Amin warned that it would not be easy against Egypt.
"Egypt play robust hockey, and we need to break their focus early to win. It won't be an easy match, but we will win it," said Amin.
Australian coach Jay Stacy said the match was not as easy as the scoreline indicated.
"We had to bring out our best to score three early goals. When Malaysia put up a fight, it was not an easy match, and my players had to dig deep to stop them," said Stacy.
