Well-Timed Goals And A Terrific Defensive Performance Vaults Canada To A 3-2 Championship Title Over Malaysia

Field Hockey Canada – The capacity crowd at the national hockey stadium was treated to an early home-team goal that set the stage for a wild evening of hockey in Kuala Lumpur as the FIH Series Finals came to a close. Canada and Malaysia, the two top teams in the tournament met in the finals after failing to win their groups. Malaysia advanced through Austria in the semifinal and Canada defeated Italy, setting up a one-two matchup in the final.

It was an all-out assault from the Malaysian side in the fourth quarter. Canadian goalkeeper Antoni Kindler made an incredible diving save on a penalty stroke with less than 10 minutes remaining. Malaysia added a goal with seven minutes left and then proceeded to pull their goalkeeper for an added attacker. Canada, with all their players back, withstood the pressure and defeated the home country 3-2 for a tournament victory and all-important ranking points heading towards Olympic qualification.