Asian Champions Trophy: Japan beat Malaysia 2-1, set up Mohali semi-final rematch on Wednesday
Kentaro Fukuda's double gave Japan a 2-1 win over Malaysia. The two sides meet again in the Asian Champions Trophy semi-finals on 4 Nov at 9.30pm Malaysia time.
Malaysia's Speedy Tigers will get a second crack at Japan in the Asian Champions Trophy semi-finals on Wednesday, 4 November, just two days after losing 2-1 to the same opponents in their final round-robin match in Punjab, India. The semi-final in Mohali is scheduled for 7pm India time, which is 9.30pm in Malaysia.
Fukuda double turns the group finale
Malaysia started well in Monday's match at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar. Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal scored a field goal in the 10th minute. Japan's Kentaro Fukuda equalised in the 24th minute and then scored the winner in the 54th minute. It was Malaysia's second straight defeat, following the 4-2 loss to India on Sunday.
The result did not change Malaysia's place in the last four, which was already secure, but it decided the semi-final pairings. Japan finished second in the six-team table with 10 points. Malaysia were third with nine.
How the round-robin finished
India topped the group with a perfect 15 points from five matches. They scored 34 goals and conceded five, and finished by beating South Korea 8-0. Captain Harmanpreet Singh leads the tournament scoring with nine goals. Korea took the fourth and last semi-final place with six points. China (two points) and Bangladesh (one point) drew 1-1 on Monday and will play off for fifth place.
Malaysia's group campaign under head coach Brendon Carolan:
- Malaysia 5-4 China (27 October)
- Malaysia 3-1 South Korea (29 October)
- Malaysia 6-1 Bangladesh (30 October)
- India 4-2 Malaysia (1 November)
- Japan 2-1 Malaysia (2 November)
Three wins from three games put the Speedy Tigers into the semi-finals early. The two defeats that followed came against the two strongest sides in the table.
Semi-final and medal schedule (Malaysia time)
The knockout rounds move to the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali. The published schedule lists these times in India Standard Time (UTC+5.30). Here they are converted to Malaysia time (UTC+8):
- Wednesday, 4 November: fifth-place match, 2pm IST / 4.30pm MYT
- Wednesday, 4 November: semi-final 1, India v South Korea, 4.30pm IST / 7pm MYT
- Wednesday, 4 November: semi-final 2, Japan v Malaysia, 7pm IST / 9.30pm MYT
- Thursday, 5 November: bronze-medal match, 4.30pm IST / 7pm MYT
- Thursday, 5 November: final, 7pm IST / 9.30pm MYT
Tuesday, 3 November, is a rest day.
What Malaysia need to fix
Malaysia scored early on Monday and then failed to add a second goal while Japan took control. Malaysia scored three goals across their last two games: Akhimullah Anuar Esook and Shello Silverius against India, and Azrai against Japan. Akhimullah also converted a penalty corner against Korea, so set pieces will matter against a Japanese side that has now beaten them once this week.
The semi-final is also a chance to end a disappointing week on a high. Malaysia reached the men's hockey final at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, which ended in early October, and they arrived in India among the in-form teams. A win on Wednesday would set up a final on Thursday, most likely against India if the hosts beat Korea. A loss would send them to the bronze-medal match against the loser of the other semi-final.
Key takeaways
- Japan beat Malaysia 2-1 on 2 November. Kentaro Fukuda scored twice after Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal's 10th-minute opener.
- Malaysia finished third on nine points and play second-placed Japan again in the semi-finals.
- The semi-final is on Wednesday, 4 November, at 9.30pm Malaysia time in Mohali.
- Unbeaten India (15 points) play South Korea in the other semi-final at 7pm Malaysia time.
- The final and bronze-medal match are on Thursday, 5 November.
FAQ
When is Malaysia v Japan in the Asian Champions Trophy semi-final? It is on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, at 7pm India time, which is 9.30pm Malaysia time. The venue is the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali.
Why are Malaysia playing Japan again? The semi-finals pair first with fourth and second with third. Japan finished second on 10 points and Malaysia finished third on nine, so they meet two days after their group match.
Who scored in Malaysia's 2-1 defeat to Japan? Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal scored for Malaysia in the 10th minute. Kentaro Fukuda scored both of Japan's goals, in the 24th and 54th minutes.
Sources: The Star, Bernama, Infinity Sport Asia, Outlook India, The Sunday Guardian