MALAYSIA suffered a triple set-back in their Australian Hockey League (AHL) debut Thursday when the national team were held to a draw, while the back-up and women's team lost their opening matches.
Malaysian Tigers, the national team, drew 1-1 with New Zealand Futures; the Malaysian Blues lost 4-2 to India Juniors and the Malaysian Tigress lost 3-1 to New Zealand Futures.
Meor Azuan gave the Tigers a 35th minute penalty corner lead, but Jarad Jones spoiled the party with a 45th minute field goal.
Malaysian Tigress, the women's national team, lost 3-1 to the New Zealand Under-21 side.
New Zealand took a 2-0 lead, before Fatin Naimah scored off a penalty corner but the Kiwis score another to win convincingly.
Malaysian Blues scored first off Faizal Shaari in the fourth minute, but India Juniors came back with four goals to deny coach Wallace Tan points in the first match.
Faizal scored the second in the 55th minute.
India Juniors skipped the Sultan of Johor Cup but will use the AHL as preparation for the Junior World Cup which they will host at the end of the year.
FRIDAY: Men -- Malaysian Tigers v Queensland, Malaysian Blues v Western Australia.
Women: Malaysian Tigress v Northern Territory.
SATURDAY: Women: Malaysian Tigress v New South Wales.
