Asian Champions Trophy: Azrai double helps Speedy Tigers edge China 5-4 ahead of South Korea test
Malaysia opened their Asian Champions Trophy campaign in Jalandhar with a nervy 5-4 win over a young China side and now face South Korea on Thursday.
Malaysia's Speedy Tigers survived a spirited fightback from a youthful China to win their opening match of the 2026 Asian Champions Trophy 5-4 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, India, on Tuesday. The three points left Malaysia level on points with India and Japan at the top of the six-team table after day one, and the squad now turns its attention to South Korea on Thursday.
A nine-goal opener
Malaysia started brightly when Azrai Abu Kamal finished off a move down the right in the fourth minute. China, who fielded eight debutants, hit back twice in quick succession through Wang Yaqi's field goal in the 11th minute and a rebound shortly after a penalty corner, to lead 2-1.
The Malaysians turned the game around just before half-time. Azrai levelled in the final minute of the second quarter, and Anuar Akhimullah struck moments later to send Malaysia into the break 3-2 up.
China drew level after the restart when Chen Benhai converted a penalty corner. Malaysia responded in the third quarter with a Faizal Saari penalty-corner goal and a penalty stroke from Azimuddin Kamaruddin, the first stroke of the tournament, to open a two-goal cushion. Chen's second penalty-corner conversion in the 44th minute made it 5-4, and China were denied a late equaliser when an effort came back off the post.
Heat and fresh legs
Veteran Fitri Saari, who has around 240 international caps, pointed to the playing conditions in north India as a factor. Speaking after the match, he said the side were "not used to playing under such hot conditions" but had risen to the occasion. He also credited China's young players for an impressive display.
The closeness of the scoreline stood out given that Malaysia had beaten China 5-0 at the Asian Games a month earlier, according to The Tribune.
Asian Games silver still fresh
The Speedy Tigers arrive in India on the back of a strong Asian Games campaign in Aichi-Nagoya, where they beat Pakistan in the group stage and four-time champions South Korea in the semi-finals before losing 5-1 to India in the final. That defeat cost Malaysia the automatic place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics that goes to the Asian Games winners, but the silver was only the country's third in the history of the Asian Games men's hockey tournament.
Malaysia have reached the Asian Champions Trophy final once before, at the 2023 edition in Chennai.
Format and what comes next
The 2026 edition runs from 27 October to 5 November. All six teams play each other once in a single round-robin league in Jalandhar, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals on 4 November and the final on 5 November, both at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali.
Malaysia's remaining league fixtures are:
- Thursday 29 October: Malaysia v South Korea, 2.30pm local time (5pm in Malaysia)
- Friday 30 October: Bangladesh v Malaysia, 2.30pm local time (5pm in Malaysia)
- Sunday 1 November: Malaysia v India, 7pm local time (9.30pm in Malaysia)
South Korea come into Thursday's game after a 3-2 opening loss to Japan, while hosts and defending champions India began with a 13-0 rout of Bangladesh. Fitri has named India and Japan as the teams Malaysia are most focused on in the league stage.
Key takeaways
- Malaysia beat China 5-4 in their Asian Champions Trophy opener in Jalandhar on Tuesday, 27 October.
- Azrai Abu Kamal scored twice; Anuar Akhimullah, Faizal Saari and Azimuddin Kamaruddin (penalty stroke) also scored.
- China, with eight debutants, twice came from behind and hit the post late on.
- Malaysia face South Korea on Thursday at 5pm Malaysian time, then Bangladesh and India.
- The top four of six teams reach the semi-finals on 4 November in Mohali.
FAQ
Who scored for Malaysia against China? Azrai Abu Kamal scored twice, with further goals from Anuar Akhimullah, Faizal Saari and a penalty stroke by Azimuddin Kamaruddin.
When do the Speedy Tigers play South Korea? On Thursday, 29 October, at 2.30pm in India, which is 5pm Malaysian time, in Jalandhar.
How do teams qualify for the Asian Champions Trophy semi-finals? The six teams play a single round-robin, and the top four in the league table advance to the semi-finals on 4 November, with the final on 5 November.
Sources: Asian Hockey Federation, FIH, The Tribune, Outlook India, Free Malaysia Today, New Straits Times, Lumi News