KUALA LUMPUR: Following a 10-1 thrashing by world champions Germany in a test match a few days ago, the national men's hockey team found a weaker opponent yesterday.
And the Speedy Tigers walked off the pitch with their heads held high at the end of a friendly match, after beating Monchengladbach, a German league division one club, 9-2, at the Gladbach Hockey and Tennis Centre.
Faizal Saari scored four goals (35th, 42nd, 46th and 59th minutes). The other goals were from Azimuddin Syakir (third), Shello Silverius (32nd), Norsyafiq Sumantri (40th), Alfarico (52nd) and Firti Saari (57th). Monchengladbach replied in the 28th and 29th.
Coach Sarjit Singh said Malaysia bounced back well after the big loss to the German national team earlier.
"We made some changes to our lineup, and they played well as a unit against the German club.
"The intensity of the match was high and matches like this will help improve the national team's performance.
"The positive part is that the players' spirits did not shatter after the big defeat to Germany. It's not easy to bounce back after a defeat.
"We have two more tough matches against quality teams. We want the young players to learn and mature fast in these matches.
"We will be leaving for the Netherlands to play two more matches, against the Dutch national team and Indian national team," said Sarjit.
The Dutch and Indian teams, who will be going to the Paris Olympics, will field their main players in the friendlies against Malaysia.