KUALA LUMPUR: On a day when the Malaysian football team crushed Singapore 7-0 at the Sea Games in Phnom Penh, their hockey counterparts hardly looked potent.
The hockey boys struggled to overcome Singapore 4-3 at the Morodock Hockey pitch, leaving coach Amin Rahim bemused.
Defending champions Malaysia, who defeated Cambodia 6-0 yesterday, took the lead through Amirul Hamizan Azahar off a penalty corner in the 15th minute. But Singapore equalised in the 37th through Noor Silas.
Six minutes later, Malaysia regained their lead through Alfarico Lance Liau, but Singapore again levelled the score via Dineshraj Naidu in the 46th. But in the same minute, Amirul sounded the board via a penalty corner for a 3-2 lead.
Yet, Singapore equalised for the third time through Noor in the 53rd off a penalty corner.
Najib Abu Hassan then netted the winner in the 57th for Malaysia.
Amin said: "My players made silly mistakes and allowed Singapore to control the match in certain quarters to put us under pressure.
"Anyway I praise my players for collecting full points today. The players need to do their own analysis to improve their game."