Malaysia lost to India in 2017 Men’s Hockey Asia Cup final

The 2017 Men’s Hockey Asia Cup was the tenth tournament to date in Hockey Asia Cup for men. It was held from 11 to 22 October 2017 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This tournament been participated by 8 countries which is India, Pakistan, Japan, Bangladesh, South Korea, China, Oman and our beloved country, Malaysia.

India ended its 10 years wait for continental triumph when it defeated Malaysia 2-1 in a final match. India came out all guns blazing and took the lead in the third minutes through Ramandeep Singh, who scored from a rebound after his initial deflection from S.V.Sunil cross hit the post. A minute before half-time, Lalit Upadhyay doubled India’s lead when he beautifully deflected home Sumit’s reverse hit cross from the left flank.

Down by two goals, Malaysia came out all guns blazing in the fourth and final quarter and gave Indian defence a run their money. After wasting its second penalty corner, Malaysia came back into the match when Shahril Saabah scored from close range in the 50^th minutes as the Indian defence wilted under pressure.

And with three minutes left in the match, coach Stephen Van Huizen took out goalkeeper S.Kumar for an extra outfield player in a last gasp attempt to draw the match and take it to a penalty shoot out. The tactic was worked when Malaysia draw 1-1 againt South Korea, but even though it pinned India in their own semi-circle, Malaysia failed to score.

Malaysia team have gave their best but still it was not enough to deny India. This in the first time Malaysia reach into final stage in 35 years. For India team, this victory is their third Asia Cup title after won it at Kuala Lumpur (2003) and Chennai (2007). South Korea still lead the list with 4 titles to their name.

After final match, Lalit Upadhyay won the goal of the match award while Akashdeep Singh was adjudged the man of the match. In addition, our national player, Faizal Saari was get top scorer award and best player of the tournament award.

Second podium finish for Hafizh Syahrin

Moto2 rider from Malaysia, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah proved he has the potential to make the big step up to MotoGP in the future after securing his second podium finish in three races at the Japan Motorcycle Grand Prix on Sunday.

Hafizh start the race in sixth position and continues his stunning performance by finishing in third place that clocked 32 minutes 12.035 seconds in the 15-lap race which is 3.134 seconds behind Alex Marquez from Marc VDS. Alex won the race after clocked 32 minutes 08.901 seconds while Xavi Vierge from Tech 3 Racing came in second place after clocked 32 minutes 10.366 seconds. Another Malaysian rider, Khairul Idham Pawi from Idemitsu Honda Team finished 23rd with a time 32 minutes 59.432 seconds.

This victory was the second podium finish Hafizh Syahrin after winning the same position in the San Marino Grand Prix at the Misano World Circuit at Italy last month.

"We were quietly confident throughout the weekend, and it was just a matter of remaining calm and focused. The race went perfectly and I am very happy to secure my second podium finish of the season. The bike had been competitive and on the pace all weekend. We also managed to record a succession of the fastest lap times today. This result will motivate us to keep pushing in the next races. A big thank you to everyone for all your support and prayers", said Hafizh.

For the record, Hafizh Syahrin collected 16 points and secured the 10th place on overall in the Moto2 category, with 82 points after 15 races this season. Franco Morbidelli rider from Italy still on the top with 256 points. 

The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix will take place on 22nd October 2017 in Philip Island Circuit followed by the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Sepang Circuit on 29th October 2017 and the finale in Valencia on 12nd November 2017.

Wong Weng Son is now a World Champion

Wong Weng Son in action

Malaysia’s wushu contingent has taking part in 14^th World Wushu Championship 2017 that be held in Kazan, Russia from 29^th September 2017 until 3^rd October 2017.

At this World Wushu Championship, Wong Weng Son make a surprised by winning a gold medal in the men’s jianshu (sword) event after he put up a stunning performance. He posted 9.64 points to beat Lee Ha-Sung from South Korea that only be satisfied in second place after get 9.60. Weng Son teammate that also the gold medallist in Kuala Lumpur Sea Games, Yeap Wei Kin got the third place after scoring 9.53.

This title be so meaningful for Weng Son as he only managed to get silver medals in the jianshu (sword) and qianshu (spear) events after losing the both events to Yeap Wai Kin at the recent Kuala Lumpur Sea Games.

Weng Son almost to get the second gold medal for himself but he only managed to get a silver medal in qianshu (spear) event after losing to Zhang Yaowen from China. Beside that, Yeap Wai Kin also get a bronze medal in this event same as in jianshu (sword) event.

“It is a great achievement to land a title in wushu’s most prestigious world event,” said Wong Weng Son.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak wish congrate to Weng Son for winning a gold medal. “Another pride for Malaysia! Congrats Wong Weng Son for winning a gold medal in the men’s jianshu event in the World Wushu Championship,” he said in posting on his official Twitter page.

For the final result, Malaysia end up the World Wushu Championship 2017 at the 8^th placed after collecting 8 medals which is 2 golds, 3 silvers and 3 bronzes. Malaysia got another gold medal from women category which is in duilian event that represented by Phoon Eyin, Loh Ying Ting and Tan Cheong Min. China be a champion for this time after collecting 15 gold medals.

Dodgeball team earned 3 gold medals in Asia Pacific Dodgeball Championship

Malaysia dodgeball team with their medal and trophies

On 29^th September until 1^st October 2017, Malaysia has participated in Asia Pacific Dodgeball Championship that was held at the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil. It been a wonderful day after Malaysia team made a clean sweep by bagging all three gold medals for men, women and mixed category.

This tournament was participated by 10 countries which is Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Japan, Singapore, Pakistan, Phillipines and Malaysia as the host. But competing against the teams hailing from powerful nation such as Australia and Singapore did not hinder Malaysia team from making us proud.

In the finals, our three teams in the different category all faced Australia in highly competitive matches and emerged the victor. The Malaysia first gold medal was achieved by the mixed’s team after winning with a score of 7-5. Meanwhile, the women’s team were up next and beat Australia with a score of 9-3. Our last gold medal was achieved by the men’s team after beat Australia with a score of 10-4.

These wins are especially significant for our national teams because the winners in each category will be qualified to enter the 2018 World Cup in New York, at the world renowned Madison Square Garden. This means that Malaysia’s dodgeball teams will be competing in New York next year in a highly prestigious dodgeball competition.

“Two years ago during the Asia Pacific Championship in Australia, we only satisfied in second place in all three categories and today, we got the first placed,” the captain of the team, Muhamad Heidy Mohd Yusoff said. He also said “last year we went to Manchester as the underdog and placed second and this time around, we will like to be acknowledged as the champions as we compete in New York next year.

On the previous 2016 Dodgeball World Cup at Manchester, England, the Malaysia men’s dodgeball team marked a historic debut after clinching the runner-up spot. In the final, Malaysia lost 3-14 to the England.

Congratulation and wish them all the best.