Malaysia made light work of Ireland in their 2018 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup opening match with a 4-1 win on Saturday.
The Speedy Tigers lived up to their name as Razie Rahim and Tengku Tajuddin put Malaysia 2-0 ahead against the Irish side, who were making their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup debut, before the 10th minute mark.
Razie, who managed only one goal in the previous Sultan Azlan Shah Cup edition, later bagged a hat-trick as he converted from penalty corners in the 24th and 44th minute.
Shimmins Kirk scored a consolation goal for Ireland in the 53rd minute.
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The morale-boosting start to the tournament was just what Stephen van Huizen's side needed ahead of tomorrow's big game against Australia, who showed why they were world No.1 team by thrashing a struggling England side 4-1.
The Kookaburras, who lost to Great Britain 4-3 in last year's final, raced to a two-goal lead thanks goals from Dylan Wotherspoon and Blake Govers in the 15th and 19th minute.
Phil Roper, who was part of the victorious Great Britain side, pulled one back in the 25th minute, but Aaron Kleinschmidt restored Australia's lead in the 28th minute.
Lachlan Sharp then wrapped up the game with a 39th-minute goal.
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In the first match of the day, Argentina secured a 3-2 victory over India, with star drag-flicker Gonzalo Peillat claiming a hat-trick of penalty corner goals.
After he gave the Rio Olympic champions a 2-0 lead, Amit Rohidas drew level for India with two quick-fire penalty corner goals of his own in the 26th and 32nd minute.
However, the parity lasted barely a minute as Peillat struck again in the 33rd minute, which was enough to see off the game as rain caused the final quarter to be suspended for 45 minutes, taking the bite out of both teams.
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The Speedy Tigers lived up to their name as Razie Rahim and Tengku Tajuddin put Malaysia 2-0 ahead against the Irish side, who were making their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup debut, before the 10th minute mark.
Razie, who managed only one goal in the previous Sultan Azlan Shah Cup edition, later bagged a hat-trick as he converted from penalty corners in the 24th and 44th minute.
Shimmins Kirk scored a consolation goal for Ireland in the 53rd minute.
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The morale-boosting start to the tournament was just what Stephen van Huizen's side needed ahead of tomorrow's big game against Australia, who showed why they were world No.1 team by thrashing a struggling England side 4-1.
The Kookaburras, who lost to Great Britain 4-3 in last year's final, raced to a two-goal lead thanks goals from Dylan Wotherspoon and Blake Govers in the 15th and 19th minute.
Phil Roper, who was part of the victorious Great Britain side, pulled one back in the 25th minute, but Aaron Kleinschmidt restored Australia's lead in the 28th minute.
Lachlan Sharp then wrapped up the game with a 39th-minute goal.
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In the first match of the day, Argentina secured a 3-2 victory over India, with star drag-flicker Gonzalo Peillat claiming a hat-trick of penalty corner goals.
After he gave the Rio Olympic champions a 2-0 lead, Amit Rohidas drew level for India with two quick-fire penalty corner goals of his own in the 26th and 32nd minute.
However, the parity lasted barely a minute as Peillat struck again in the 33rd minute, which was enough to see off the game as rain caused the final quarter to be suspended for 45 minutes, taking the bite out of both teams.
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