KUALA LUMPUR: Captain Muhammad Safwan's late goal clinched victory for the Malaysia Tigers, securing a dramatic 3-2 win over South Korea in the boys' final of the Under-17 Mirnawan Cup at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
South Korea took an early lead in the seventh minute through Choe Dohyeon's penalty corner.
However, the Malaysia Tigers surged back in the second half, with Aferull Syah scoring twice, in the 38th and 48th minutes.
The Koreans responded quickly, with Choe Dohyeon equalising just a minute later from another penalty corner.
But in the 56th minute, Safwan turned hero for Malaysia, converting a penalty corner to put his team back in the lead.
In the final minutes, South Korea removed their goalkeeper Hong Minseo to press for an equaliser using a power play, but Malaysia defended stoutly.
Malaysia Tigers coach Izwan Firdaus Ahad Tajuddin praised his team's resilience and performance. "Although the Koreans took the lead, we fought back to go 2-1 up.
"Despite their equaliser, we managed to score a late winner to seal this memorable win," said Izwan.
In the girls' final, Japan edged out Australia's Queensland team with a 3-2 victory.
Results
Boys' final: Malaysia Tigers 3 South Korea 2;
Third placing: Malaysia Speedy 6 Austria 2.
Girls' final: Japan 3 Queensland 2;
Third placing: S. Korea 4 South Africa 3.