KUALA LUMPUR: The Young Tigers got off to a flying start in the Junior Asia Cup (JAC) by beating China 5-2 in a Group B match at the Hockey Oman Stadium in Muscat on Friday.
World No. 48 China, who last featured in the JAC in Kuantan in 2015, surprised world No. 11 Malaysia by taking the lead off a penalty corner converted by Wang Yubo in the fifth minute.
But the early setback stung the Malaysians into action as they stormed back with five goals.
Captain Che Nur Aqilrullah Che Khairulzi Anwar equalised in the 17th minute off a field goal, and he was named Man of the Match.
Malaysia kept up the pressure and scored again through Addy Jazmi Jamlus (34th), Khairul Norizam (43rd), T. Naaveennash Panicker (44th) and Danish Danial Abdul Wahab (59th).
China got one more goal in the 46th through Zhang Jialiang.
Results:
Group A: S. Korea 6 Thailand 2, Japan 11 Taiwan 0.
Group B: Malaysia 5 China 2