ASIA Cup silver medallists Malaysia started their Group B campaign with a 7-0 win over Oman at the Gelora Bung Karno hockey pitch in Jakarta on Monday.
Five different players scored for Malaysia with Asian Hockey Federation Man-of-the-Match Razie Rahim scoring a hat-trick in the sixth, 13th and 19th minutes. The other Malaysian goals were scored by Faizal Saari (23rd), Shahril Saabah (34th), Faiz Helmi Jali (40th) and Ashran Hamsani (43rd).
Malaysian coach Arul Selvaraj said his players played total hockey and he expects the same from them against South Korea on Tuesday.
In the other Group B match South Korea came back from a goal down after Rahman Khorshadur scored in the sixth minute to beat Bangladesh 6-1.
South Korea goals were scored by Hwang Taeil in the 13th and 22nd minutes, Jang Jong Hyun in the 18th and 52nd, Lee Nam Yong in the 32nd and Yang Jihun in the 45th.
Man-of-the-Match Hwang, 30-years-old, said the win has motivated his team to collect full points in their next Group B match against Malaysia.
South Korean coach Shin Seok Kyo said the weather was a bit too hot for his players but once they settled down the goals started coming in.
In Group A, world ranked 45th Indonesia were beaten 9-0 by Japan in a one sided match.
The Japan goals were scored by Kirishita Yoshiki (7th), Nagayoshi Ken (8th), Ooka Ryoma (10th), Kato Ryosei (13th), Yamasaki Koji (15, 21, 22, 35th), Niwa Takuma (30th).
In the final match of the day, the young teams of India and Pakistan showcased some interesting talent in Group A.
In the end, both sides shared the spoils at 1-1.
India were the eventual leaders witha strike from Selvam Karthi in the 9th minute off a penalty corner attempt.
Selvam made a memorable debut for the senior side and his goal stood until the 59th minute.
However, Pakistan scored the equaliser off Abdul Rana with a minute left in the match.
