CHENNAI
\nMalaysia defeated Pakistan 3-1 in the Asian Champions Trophy on the opening day of the continental event here at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium on Thursday.
\nFirhan Ashari scored two crucial goals in the 28th and 29th minutes. Shello Silverius also contributed with a goal in the 44th minute.
\nPakistan managed to pull one goal back through Abdul Rehman in the 55th minute but couldn\u2019t mount a successful comeback.
\nThe opening quarter was an engaging one with both the teams creating several scoring opportunities, including a penalty corner each, but they couldn\u2019t convert these chances into goals.
\nHowever, the second quarter saw a change in the game\u2019s dynamics as Malaysia capitalised on two consecutive occasions just before halftime. Ashari scored two field goals in quick succession, giving Malaysia a significant advantage as they headed into the halftime break.
\nThroughout the match, both the teams created scoring chances, with Malaysia having an unsuccessful penalty corner conversion. However, Malaysia\u2019s clinical finishing proved to be the difference, securing them a well-deserved victory.
\nAfter the restart, Pakistan continued to find ways to penetrate and score, coming close on some occasions but failed to find the back of the net.
\nA minute before the third quarter ended, Malaysia tripled their lead when Silverius comfortably tapped the ball past Pakistan goalkeeper Akmal Hussain.
\nFaisal Saari created the scoring chance for Malaysia as he seamlessly ran with the ball all alone from the right flank despite a Pakistan defender chasing, before beautifully passing it to an unmarked Silveius, who completed the formality.
\nIn the final quarter, Pakistan earned a penalty stroke in the 53rd minute. However, Abdul Rana\u2019s effort was denied by Malaysian goalkeeper Muhajir Abdu, who moved to his right to make the save.
\nPakistan eventually got a consolation goal with Rehman scoring from a field effort.
\nWinning start for Korea
\nEarlier on Thursday, defending champions South Korea started their Asian Champions Trophy title defence on a winning note, beating Japan 2-1 in a close contest.
\nJapan\u2019s Ryoma Oooka netted the opening goal of the tournament in the sixth minute before Cheoleon Park equalised for South Korea in the 26th, as both the teams went into the half-time break locked at 1-1.
\nJust five minutes into the third quarter, JungHoo Kim found the back of the net to put the Korean side in front.
\nIt was followed by some relentless attacks from the Japanese. However, the Korean defence held on firmly to grab the three points in the end.
\nRaiki Fujishima of Japan was yellow-carded in the 14th, whereas Manjae Jung of Korea saw green in the seventh.
\nIndia outclass China
\nLater on Thursday, India sealed a one-sided 7-2 win against China in their Asian Champions Trophy opener.
\nThe hosts took an early 2-0 lead in the first quarter after a quick brace from captain Harmanpreet Singh, who converted back-to-back penalty corners.
\nMeanwhile, Sukhjeet made it 3-0 to end the first quarter.
\nAkashdeep scored early in the second quarter to make it 4-0 but Wenhui took advantage of a defensive lapse as China staged a comeback to make it 1-4.
\nVarun converted a penalty corner to make it 5-1 for India. China found another goal through Jiesheng Gao to make it 5-2 in the second quarter. Varun scored once again in the end of the second quarter to make it 6-2 for the home side.
\nIn the third quarter, Mandeep deflected a dragflick to extend India\u2019s lead to 7-2.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CHENNAI Malaysia defeated Pakistan 3-1 in the Asian Champions Trophy on the opening day of the continental event here at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium on Thursday. Firhan Ashari scored two crucial goals in the 28th and 29th minutes. Shello Silverius also contributed with a goal in the 44th minute. Pakistan managed to pull one […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":347277,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-347265","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n