IN an action packed match, China edged Malaysia 7-6 on penalty strokes yesterday to claim the bronze medal in the 8th AirAsia Men's Asia Cup.
It was heartbreak for Malaysia when Nabil Fiqri Mohd Nor failed to convert his attempt while China's Sun Tian Jun duly converted his sudden death penalty stroke. China had also won the bronze medal in 1982 in Karachi.
Earlier, the teams were deadlocked at 3-3 in the shoot-out. Lu Feng Hui and Tain Jun saw their penalty attempts saved by Malaysia goalkeeper S. Kumar but Malaysia missed through Nabil Fiqri and Kelvinder Singh.
Malaysia had led three times during the match and should have won it in regulation time.
China coach Guo Jie said: "My players played a simple defend and attack game."
Malaysia opened account 50 seconds after the start with a superb goal that needed only six passes that resulted in Ismail Abu scoring with a delightful reverse stick attempt.
But China struck back in the 18th minute when umpire Fernando Gomez of Argentina awarded a penalty stroke when keeper S. Kumar brought down Liu Xian Tang. Captain Song Yi converted from the spot.
Forward Chua Boon Huat put Malaysia ahead again in the 31st minute when he guided the ball past China goalkeeper Su Ri Feng.
China pulled level in the 47th minute when Song Yi's powerful low drive, off a penalty corner, went past keeper Kumar.
The Malaysian players worked hard again and in the 64th minute was rewarded when Nabil Fiqri Mohd Nor gave his team a 3-2 lead with a field attempt.
However, the lead lasted only three minutes as China hit back through Jiang Xi Shang when he deflected the ball into the Malaysian net after a goalmouth melee.
