IPOH: Malaysia were left to rue crucial errors and bad luck as they lost 5-4 to Pakistan in their opening Sultan Azlan Shah Cup match at the Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium here today.
In Sarjit Singh's first official match in charge as national coach, Malaysia fell behind after nine minutes when Sufyan Khan scored Pakistan's opening goal.
However, the Speedy Tigers raced to a 3-1 lead, courtesy of Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal's hat-trick in the 13th, 28th and 45th minutes.
The Green Shirts, who were pinned back in the second and third quarters, turned on the afterburners in the final quarter, with Sufyan bagging his brace in the 50th minute to reduce the deficit, before Zikriya Hayat drew level three minutes later for Pakistan.
Midfielder Shello Silverius put Malaysia back in front in the 57th minute.
However, Sufyan levelled the score in the 59th minute.
Disaster struck when Pakistan was awarded a penalty stroke in the final minute, and Abu Bakar Mahmood made no mistake from the spot to clinch the win.
Sarjit said his men played well but ended up playing to the crowd towards the end of the match and let the win slip through their fingers.
"If you make mistakes, you will be punished. We were leading 4-3 and two silly errors cost us. You can't accept this," said Sarjit in the post-match press conference.
"We played to the crowd in the last three to five minutes. There was no need to rush as time was on our side. This is a learning process for the team, and we still have a long way to go."
Meanwhile, Pakistan coach Roelant Oltmans said it was a crazy game.
"We arrived here after just three days of training, and we didn't know what to expect today," said the Dutchman. "They controlled the match well. However, we bounced back by forcing them to make mistakes.
"Towards the end, the players really showed their determination to win the match."
RESULTS
New Zealand 7 Canada 1
South Korea 1 Japan 2
Malaysia 4 Pakistan 5
TOMORROW'S FIXTURES
New Zealand v Japan (4pm)
South Korea v Pakistan (6.15pm)
Canada v Malaysia (8.30pm)
* Matches at the Azlan Shah Stadium, Ipoh.