Malaysia got off to a winning start in the Five Nation Invitational Hockey Challenge in Paris when they edged Poland 3-2 at the INSEP Hockey Centre.
But there was much to be desired from their performance as Chief Coach Stephen van Huizen was not too happy with the overall performance of the team.
"We created enough chances in the opening 20 minutes to seal the game but the players relaxed after that," said Stephen.
"This is something we have been trying to improve on and it is vital that the players master the art of scoring.
"Our performance left much to be desired and hopefully the players realise that we cannot allow opponents back into the match, especially when we hold the upperhand."
More so due to the fact that the national team should have killed off the match after taking a 2-0 lead, courtesy of goals via Azlan Misron ( in the 3rd minute) and Mohd Amin Rahim ( in the 14th minute).
However they squandered the lead and allowed the Poles back into the game as they scored via Waldemr Rataj in the 41st minute and Tomasz Dutkiewicz in the 55th minute to draw level. Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin scored the winner in the 57th minute.
Malaysia were dealt with a blow even before the tournament got underway as keeper S.Kumar lost his bag when the team travelled from Dublin to Paris via London. Hence Kumar was not fielded.
Also left out of the team was C. Baljit Singh who suffered a shoulder injury during the last test match against Ireland on Sunday.
Malaysia take on Scotland on Thursday. The other teas in the tournament are hosts France and Ireland.
But there was much to be desired from their performance as Chief Coach Stephen van Huizen was not too happy with the overall performance of the team.
"We created enough chances in the opening 20 minutes to seal the game but the players relaxed after that," said Stephen.
"This is something we have been trying to improve on and it is vital that the players master the art of scoring.
"Our performance left much to be desired and hopefully the players realise that we cannot allow opponents back into the match, especially when we hold the upperhand."
More so due to the fact that the national team should have killed off the match after taking a 2-0 lead, courtesy of goals via Azlan Misron ( in the 3rd minute) and Mohd Amin Rahim ( in the 14th minute).
However they squandered the lead and allowed the Poles back into the game as they scored via Waldemr Rataj in the 41st minute and Tomasz Dutkiewicz in the 55th minute to draw level. Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin scored the winner in the 57th minute.
Malaysia were dealt with a blow even before the tournament got underway as keeper S.Kumar lost his bag when the team travelled from Dublin to Paris via London. Hence Kumar was not fielded.
Also left out of the team was C. Baljit Singh who suffered a shoulder injury during the last test match against Ireland on Sunday.
Malaysia take on Scotland on Thursday. The other teas in the tournament are hosts France and Ireland.
