Favourites Malaysia lived to the top billing as they barge into semifinals of the World Hockey League (WHL) Round 2 when they dumped Sri Lanka 5-2 in the first quarterfinal match held on Thursday at Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium.
Malaysia shot into the lead in the 9th minute of the proceedings with Rosli Ramadan rounding up the rival goalie to score a fine field goal (1-0).
However Sri Lanka regrouped themselves and brought parity with in five minutes of the match. In the 14th minute Nalantha Kulathunga made no mistake to drag the ball into the post off a penalty corner(1-1).
Title aspirant woke up from the slumber and came back strongly to demolish their rival defense like a tidal surge as they slammed three field goals in the 18th, 22nd and 23rd minute to establish their authority.
The goal scorers were Tengku Ahmad, Rosli Ramdan and Aiman Nick Rosemi’s providing Malaysia a four goal cushion lead.
Sri Lanka made desperate attempts to come back in the match and their perseverance paid off as they reduced the margin with another penalty corner goal, scored by Ishanka Doranegala in the 27th minute.
Maylaysian were in no mood to flirt as Baharom Rashid netted the fifth goal for Malaysia in the 29th minute to sealed the fate of the match.
Both teams looked tired in the remaining period as the last two quarters of the match remained barren.
Malaysia quite rightly 13th ranked country raced to the semis with another comfortable victory.
