KUALA LUMPUR — Managing emotions could prove just as important as physical recovery for the Speedy Tigers as they prepare for a tougher Asian Games semi-final after sweeping aside China 5-0 in their final Group B match at Gifu Hockey Stadium today.
National men’s hockey coach Brendon Carolan believes his charges have shown enough quality and consistency throughout the tournament to enter the knockout stage with confidence, but warned that the semi-final would present an entirely different challenge.
Malaysia will face South Korea in Thursday’s semi-final, with Carolan saying his immediate priority is to ensure his players remain physically fresh and mentally composed after completing an unbeaten group campaign.
“We also need to manage the players’ emotions because the semi-finals will be a different challenge. It is important that we keep them focused, composed and mentally prepared, while also making sure they are physically ready to perform at their best,” Carolan told Scoop.
Malaysia completed the group stage with maximum points from five matches, scoring 25 goals and conceding just three to underline their credentials as serious gold-medal contenders.
Carolan, however, is not looking beyond the semi-final, saying the identity of their opponents is less important than ensuring his players are in the right condition to perform.
“It does not matter who we play in the semi-finals. What matters is that my players are physically ready, and they are all determined to perform at their best in these Games,” he said.
The Speedy Tigers were ruthless against world No. 20 China, with Fitri Saari opening the scoring in the 13th minute before Akhimullah Anuar Esook doubled the advantage nine minutes later.
Ashran Hamsani then made it 3-0 in the 24th minute before Faizal Saari added Malaysia’s fourth in the 40th minute, with Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal completing the rout in the 59th minute.
The victory extended Malaysia’s impressive momentum heading into the knockout phase, with Carolan pleased by the consistency shown across all five group matches.
“I am very happy for the guys because they have performed well throughout all five matches. They have shown good consistency, discipline and commitment, and that is something we can take confidence from going into the semi-finals,” he said.
The South African coach, who took charge of the national side in April, said the focus now shifts to recovery and rehabilitation ahead of the next challenge.
“Our immediate focus now is on the players’ recovery and rehabilitation ahead of the semi-finals. We want to make sure everyone gets the proper recovery and is in good physical condition so that we can maintain the level of performance we have shown so far,” he said.
Carolan also stressed the importance of keeping the players mentally sharp after a demanding group campaign.
“We cannot afford to look too far ahead. The priority is to recover properly, keep everyone physically and mentally prepared, and then make sure we are ready for whoever we face in the semi-finals,” he said.
Among those enjoying a particularly productive campaign is veteran forward Faizal Saari, who has emerged as Malaysia’s leading scorer with nine goals after five matches.
The 35-year-old returned to the national team last November and has wasted little time making his presence felt, adding another attacking dimension to a side targeting a place in the final.
Malaysia’s ultimate objective is to reach the gold-medal match, with the Asian Games champions also securing the men’s hockey qualification spot for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
For Carolan, however, the immediate task remains clear: get his players recovered, composed and ready for the intensity of the semi-final.
“The most important thing is that the players continue to believe in themselves, stay focused on the job and give everything they have when we step onto the turf,” he said. – September 28, 2026