“We Can’t Be Complacent” — Malaysia’s Coach Warns His Players Hours Before Facing Pakistan

Malaysia’s players were still catching their breath from beating Japan when their coach started talking about Pakistan.

That’s how tight this tournament has become. The hosts came from behind twice to beat Japan 4-2 on Tuesday night, a win that put them level on six points with Pakistan at the top of the Sultan of Johor Cup table. Less than a day later they’re back on the same pitch, against the one unbeaten side left, and head coach Nor Saiful Zaini Nasiruddin knows exactly what that asks of his players.

Belief first, warning second

He praised the spirit first. Malaysia had created chance after chance in the first two quarters against Japan and couldn’t finish them, then watched Japan lead twice, and still found three late goals to win it.

“Credit to Japan, who played well. But in the first and second quarters we had a lot of chances and couldn’t convert them,” he said. “We scored one and then equalised, and even when Japan went 2-1 up, we still had chances.”

“I think this is the best lesson for them. They now believe that if they get the chances, they can score. I find that very positive, and the spirit they showed was good too.”

Then the tone changed.

Tired legs and changes coming

“We can’t be complacent, because tomorrow we play Pakistan. The players will be a little tired, and we have to learn how to play in that condition,” he said.

He called Pakistan one of the best teams in the tournament, said the match won’t be easy, and added that changes to his line-up are likely. Read that how you like, but coaches don’t trail line-up changes the night before unless tired legs are a genuine worry inside the camp.

And here’s the thing. He’s right to worry. Malaysia have played two games in three days and emptied the tank in the last quarter against Japan. Pakistan didn’t play on Tuesday at all. They’ve had a rest day, they’ve scored 14 goals in two games, and they’ll have watched Malaysia’s late surge knowing the hosts can be got at early, because Japan led this game twice.

What today’s game actually decides

Both sides are on six points. Pakistan top the table on goal difference, plus nine to Malaysia’s plus five. The winner today goes to nine points and takes control of the race for Saturday’s final. The loser is suddenly watching Japan, who play China in today’s early game and could be on six points themselves by tonight.

For our money, the first quarter is the whole game. If Malaysia start like they finished against Japan, the home crowd does the rest. If they’re as flat in front of goal as they were for two quarters last night, Pakistan’s forwards won’t need a second invitation.

Pakistan v Malaysia, today, Wednesday 21 October, 4:35 pm PKT, Taman Daya Hockey Stadium, Johor Bahru. China v Japan opens the day at 2:05 pm PKT. Read our full Pakistan v Malaysia preview and yesterday’s Day 3 round-up for how both sides got here — and see what Pakistan’s own coach had to say.