KUALA LUMPUR, March 8 — The Malaysian men’s hockey team narrowly lost 4–5 to Japan in the third-fourth placing playoff of the 2026 Hockey World Cup Qualifier in Ismailia, Egypt, yesterday (early today Malaysian time).
Japan opened the scoring in the 15th minute through Ryoma Ooka. Malaysia responded just before halftime when Fitri Saari equalised in the 30th minute.
The Speedy Tigers quickly took control, scoring twice to lead 3–1 with field goals from Marhan Jalil in the 30th minute and Syed Cholan in the 35th minute.
However, Japan mounted a comeback. Kazumasa Matsumoto reduced the deficit with a field goal in the 38th minute before Raiki Fujishima levelled the score at 3–3 in the 52nd minute.
Japan then surged ahead with two quick goals from Koji Yamasaki in the 55th and 57th minutes to make it 5–3. Malaysia fought back with a goal from Faizal Saari in the 58th minute, but Japan held firm to secure the victory.
Despite the defeat, Malaysia still have a chance to qualify for the 2026 Hockey World Cup, which will be held in the Netherlands and Belgium. Based on the latest world rankings, Malaysia are currently ranked 15th, ahead of Wales (16th) and Poland (20th).
The seventh slot for the tournament will be awarded to the highest-ranked team among the two sides that lose the third-place playoff matches in both World Cup qualifying tournaments.
