It was a tough opening day for Malaysian hockey at the Under-18 Asia Cup in Kakamigahara, Japan, as both the boys’ and girls’ national teams suffered setbacks in their respective group openers on Saturday.

The Malaysian boys’ squad faced a stunning 4-2 defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in Group B, while the girls’ team fought valiantly before being narrowly edged out 2-1 by powerhouse India in Group A.

Boys’ Team Shocked by Clinical Bangladesh

Entering the tournament as favorites to replicate or better their third-place finish from last year’s tournament in Dazhou, China—where they convincingly defeated Bangladesh 5-2—the national boys’ team, coached by Harfizi Baharom, was caught off guard by a highly clinical Bangladeshi side.

Bangladesh opened the scoring early in the 9th minute through a penalty stroke converted by Munna Islam. Just three minutes later, Ismail Hosen doubled Bangladesh’s advantage from a penalty corner, leaving the young Tigers with a mountain to climb.

Malaysia showed signs of a comeback just before the break when Yogeswaran Nagulan slotted home a field goal in the 30th minute to make it 2-1. However, Bangladesh struck back hard in the second half, with Munna Islam converting a penalty corner in the 40th minute to bag his second goal of the match.

The Malaysian team refused to back down, and Ariq Aidil Hakimi Nor Rizal successfully converted a penalty corner in the 50th minute to reduce the deficit to 3-2. But as Malaysia pushed forward for an equalizer, Bangladesh capitalized on a counter-attack, sealing the 4-2 victory with a 57th-minute field goal from Jony Islam.

The road ahead does not get any easier for the boys’ squad, as they are scheduled to face last year’s runners-up Pakistan on Sunday before wrapping up their group phase against China on Tuesday.

Girls’ Squad Put Up Brave Fight Against India

In the girls’ competition, the young Tigresses put up a highly commendable performance but ultimately fell short, losing 2-1 to a disciplined Indian outfit.

India’s Nousheen Naz proved to be the difference-maker, delivering a quick-fire brace in the first half. She broke the deadlock in the 19th minute via a penalty corner before doubling India’s lead with a well-taken field goal in the 28th minute.

Malaysia stepped up their intensity in the third quarter and found a lifeline in the 41st minute when Nur Qashrina Azli scored a brilliant field goal. Despite late pressure from the Malaysian side to rescue a point, the Indian defense held firm until the final whistle.

Looking Ahead to Redemption

Having started their Asian campaigns on the wrong foot, both national development squads have already shifted their focus toward immediate redemption in their upcoming fixtures, aiming to keep their tournament hopes alive in Japan.