Asian Games 2026: Malaysia Stun Korea Republic to reach Final
Malaysia stunned four-time champions South Korea 2-1 in a thrilling Asian Games semifinal to book their place in Saturday's gold medal match against defending champions India, setting up a historic opportunity for Malaysian hockey to finally claim the title that has eluded them twice before.
Forward Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal emerged as the hero for the Speedy Tigers, striking twice in a crucial five-minute window to secure Malaysia's passage to the final. The forward converted a penalty corner in the 40th minute before adding a second from the penalty spot in the 45th minute, giving Malaysia the decisive edge against a South Korean side that has long been one of Asian hockey's dominant forces.
South Korea responded through Lee Gangsan, who pulled a goal back in the 42nd minute to keep the contest alive and set up a tense finish in Gifu.
With time running out, South Korea gambled on a power play in the final two minutes, withdrawing goalkeeper Kim Jaehyon in a desperate bid to force an equalizer. However, Malaysia's defense held firm, and the Speedy Tigers' attacking line, while unable to add to their advantage during the frantic closing stages, did enough to see out the result and secure a famous victory.
Malaysia's opponents in the final were confirmed when defending champions India overcame traditional rivals Pakistan 4-3 in a dramatic first semifinal, with the Indian side chasing their fifth Asian Games hockey title. The result sets up a blockbuster gold medal showdown between India's pursuit of continued dominance and Malaysia's quest to finally break through at the highest level.
Malaysia head coach Brendon Carolan has achieved his Key Performance Indicator (KPI) by guiding the national squad to the Asian Games final, a significant milestone in his tenure at the helm of the Speedy Tigers. The achievement marks the third time Malaysia has reached the Asian Games final, following previous silver medal finishes at Guangzhou in 2010 and Indonesia in 2018—both campaigns that ended in heartbreak against stronger opposition.
With gold still eluding Malaysia across their two previous final appearances, Saturday's showdown against India represents a genuine opportunity for the Speedy Tigers to finally complete the journey and claim Asian Games hockey's ultimate prize, buoyed by the confidence gained from their stunning semifinal upset over South Korea.
Credit Photo : AHF
