Kuala lumpur: Malaysia let slip a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 to Pakistan in the bronze-medal match at the 2026 Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup at the Moqi Training Base in Moqi, China, today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia, also known as the Young Tigers, opened the scoring through a field goal by Adam Ashraf Johari in the 11th minute before doubling their lead through Shafiq Ammar Fahmi Suzaini's penalty corner goal two minutes later.
Undaunted, Pakistan gradually found their rhythm, with Rana Abdul Sami scoring a brace of field goals in the 34th and 47th minutes to level the scores at 2-2.
Buoyed, Pakistan went 3-2 ahead five minutes later through a Muhammad Shaheer penalty corner goal before Waleed Rana completed their remarkable comeback by converting a penalty stroke in the 56th minute to seal the bronze medal.
The Young Tigers, who were crowned Junior Asia Cup champions in 2012, had also finished fourth in the last two editions in 2023 and 2024.
Malaysia and Pakistan, along with finalists India and South Korea have, however, confirmed their spots in next year's Junior World Cup in India.