Malaysia National men’s hockey head coach Sarjit Singh has admitted it was extremely difficult to accept Malaysia’s shocking 4-3 defeat to New Zealand in their second Group B match of the FIH Nations Cup 2025, especially after the team had built a commanding 3-0 lead.
The Speedy Tigers looked destined for victory at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil, dominating the first half and controlling the tempo. But a stunning turnaround in the final quarter, sparked by costly yellow cards and defensive lapses, saw New Zealand strike four times in just eight minutes — flipping the match on its head.
“We handed them the win,” Sarjit said in frustration. “We completely dominated the game. The opponent didn’t pose any serious threat, and yet we let it slip away.”
“It’s fair to say that the three points were already in our grasp, but then a single mistake by Fitri Saari, which led to a yellow card, gave them an opening — and they took it,” he added.
Malaysia’s meltdown continued when Muhajir Abdul Rauf was also shown a yellow card in the 52nd minute. His absence left a gap New Zealand quickly exploited, with Finn Ward scoring the winning goal just seconds later to complete a stunning comeback.
“Of course I’m angry and disappointed. When you control the match and then lose 4-3, it’s painful,” Sarjit said. “We played well. We fought hard. But because of those cards, we threw the win away.”
The defeat now puts Malaysia in a do-or-die situation. The Speedy Tigers must beat Japan in their final group game tomorrow to stand any chance of progressing to the semi-finals.
Despite the heartbreak, Sarjit praised his players’ effort and spirit, but admitted that in high-stakes tournaments, discipline and focus are just as vital as skill.
“This is hockey,” he concluded. “Sometimes, one mistake is all it takes to lose everything.”
Credit Photo : MHC
