Malaysia defeated China 3-2 in their first match of the FIH World Hockey League semi-final round at the KHC Dragons Stadium in Antwerp, Belgium.
In this Group B match, Tan Beng Hai's boys took the lead through Faizal Saari reverse stick shot after 18 minutes. Muhammad Haziq then doubled Malaysia lead at the end of the second quarter.
China reduced the deficit in the third quarter through Guo Xiaoping and could have equalised through a penalty stroke but Malaysian players requested for the incident to be reviewed and the umpires cancelled the decision.
Malaysia skipper, Razie Rahim scored the third goal inn the final quarter but a lapse of concentration allowed China to score again a minute later.
The Speedy Tigers however held on to register a win on their opening match. Next they will face Ireland on 25 June.
