KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia beat Canada 4-2 in hockey's Nations Cup in Gniezno, Poland, today, but they can forget about reaching the semi-finals.
It was World No. 13 Malaysia's first win in Gniezno after they drew 4-4 with Pakistan and lost 3-1 to world No. 9 France in Group B earlier.
France have qualified for the semi-finals with two wins while Pakistan should advance too. The Green Shirts can even lose by six goals to France in their final group game
and still qualify.
Azimuddin Syakir Kamaruddin played against Canada despite his father, Kamaruddim
Misman, passing away in Kluang on Wednesday.
The Malaysian team, who played tensely against Canada, received
four yellow and four green cards.
The Speedy Tigers scored through Fitri Saari (second minute), Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal (sixth), Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan (22nd) and Muhajir Abdu Rauf (42nd).
Canada replied through Roopkanwar Dhillon (41st) and Maansarovar Sidhu (51st).
Malaysia earned seven penalty corners, but converted only one.
Coach Sarjit Singh said Malaysia started well in the first two quarters, but their performance faltered
in the last two quarters.