The Project 2013 squad let victory slip from their grasp when they conceded an equaliser deep into stoppage time to end up drawing 2-2 against the Spanish U21 side at the Teressa Hockey Club.
Malaysia took the lead twice, but on both occasions let the Spanish, who had six players from last year's Junior World Cup, back into the game.
Mohd Sabri gave Malaysia the lead in the 39th minute when he converted a penalty corner. Ironically that was the sole penalty corner the Malaysians gained in the match.
Spain drew level in the 50th minute but Firhan Ashari put the Malaysians ahead in the 64th minute. Though Spain forced two penalty corners in the closing stages of the match, the Malaysian penalty corner defence held firm.
However victory was denied as Spain scored the equaliser after 75 minutes of play, according to team manager Mirnawan Nawawi.
"Based on our time keeping the match should have been over. But it was not and we paid the price for complacency," said Mirnawan.
"Overall the palyers played hard and manage to compete with the Spanish in every department. Shahrul Azaddin (GK) played extremely well to deny many attempts by the Spainish forwards as well as keep out the penalty corner attempts.
"The forwards need to work on creating penalty corners as we have been scoring off them. Overall we need to work and learn how to keep possesion and to keep the lead."
The Project side play the Spanish again today at 6.00pm local time.
