MALAYSIA started with a wobbly gait, when they beat Iran 6-1 in the Junior Asia Cup in Malacca yesterday.
The surprise of the day was when Noraniyan Hamid, managed to score a goal against Malaysia in the 20th minute.
Skipper Nor Faez Ibrahim saved the blushes with a hat-trick in the fifth, 10th and 38th, while Amir Farid (18th, 61st), Firhan Ashaari (29th),
Malaysia’s true test will be against South Korea tomorrow, where a win will virtually place them in the Junior World Cup.
In another Group A match, Korea opened their campaign with a 4-1 win over Japan.
Korea took the lead in the sixth minute off their first penalty corner when You Seung Ju put it past Japanese keeper Kusano Daisuke.
After that, the Koreans placed two men up front at all time, and Seo Inwoo and Hwang Taeli created many chances.
However, Japan injected hope into their match when they equalised off Hoshi Suguru in the 27th minute.
But the Koreans powered ahead with a penalty stroke from skipper Yang Jihun (31st), Jeong Young Seok (59th) and Seo Inwoo (63rd).
RESULTS -- Group A: Korea 4 Japan 1, Malaysia 6 Iran 1.
TODAY -- Group B: Pakistan v China (6.05pm), India v Sri Lanka (8.05pm) -- matches at MBM Stadium.