KUALA LUMPUR: The Young Tigers kept their pride intact when they defeated Egypt 4-1 in today's Junior World Cup (JWC) ninth-16th classification match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
But still, coach Amin Rahim stripped his players of their stripes due to wastefulness. Despite the comfortable win, Amin criticised his team for lacking intensity, converting only two of their 16 penalty corner attempts.
Amin warned that his players need to be sharper or face the consequences when they take on Belgium in the ninth-12th classification on Wednesday.
"I am not happy despite the comfortable win over Egypt. My players earned 16 penalty corners and only scored two goals," said Amin.
"Belgium will not be so kind towards us in the next match, and we need to be sharper in the semi-circle. "I am also not happy with the many missed opportunities as well as turnovers given away to Egypt."
Harris Iskandar Osman (eighth minute), Faris Harizan (16th), Danish Aiman Khairil (44th), Che Nur Aqilrullah (50th) scored for Malaysia while Egypt replied through Basel Abdel Monem in the 59th minute.
With the target of finishing ninth, Malaysia have no option but to beat Belgium next.
"We have four penalty corner flickers in the team, but still, the percentage of scoring is very low. This is a mystery to me as well," said Amin.
Belgium, meanwhile thrashed Canada 12-0, with Max Luyten scoring four goals in the second, fourth, 10th minutes and 56th.
"Now we are looking forward to finishing ninth, and the next match is against Malaysia, and we will play with our values and not look at the scoreboard," said Belgium coach Jeroen Baart.
"We will share the ball and make it together in this lower bracket."
Commenting on the Malaysian team, Baart said: "We played a very disciplined Malaysian team in the last JWC (drew 1-1). However, the current Malaysian team has no discipline and defensive structure."
