Asia Cup field hockey tournament: Pakistan beat Hong Kong, Malaysia mark National Day with win

Malaysia celebrated the anniversary of the country's independence with an emphatic 8-0 victory over Singapore in their opening match of the Asia Cup field hockey tournament here on Friday.
In the day's second match, Pakistan defeated Hong Kong 6-1. Although Pakistan scored three goals in each half, coach Islahuddin Siddiqui said they could have done better. "It's good to get points in the opening match but we missed many chances, especially off penalty-corners. I wanted to give all the players a chance, including newcomers. I think the team is on the right track," he said.
Mohammad Imran and Shakeel Abbasi scored two goals apiece for Pakistan, while Imran Khan and Ihsanullah Khan one each. Arif Ali scored the lone goal for Hong Kong. Bangladesh also found it easy in their opening encounter as they thrashed Thailand 13-0, their biggest win in any international match.
Malaysia, who finished fifth in the last edition of the Asia Cup at home in 2003, took time to settle down on a rainy morning and led 3-0 at half time before outplaying the Singaporeans in the second session.
Zulkifli Rejab, Azlon Misron and Chua Boonhuat scored two goals apiece, while Ismail Abu and Megat Azrafiq each struck once. Rasel Mahmud led Bangladesh's goal-spree against Thailand with four goals. Mohammad Mamun scored three, followed by Mohammad Zahidul Islam and Mohammad Iqbal Nadir with two apiece. Mohammad Jahidbin Talib and Khondokar Hasan were the other scorers.
In another match defending champions India overcame stiff resistance from China to post a 1-0 victory in their opening match of the Asia Cup field hockey tournament here on Friday. Dilip Tirkey spared India embarrassment against a fighting Chinese side by converting the seventh penalty-corner in the 46th minute.
India, who lost to China at the Asian Games last year, dominated the first half but failed to translate their superiority into goals, before Tirkey came to the rescue. Also Asian Games winners South Korea ensured an easy win against Sri Lanka with six goals in the first half. Kim Byung Hoon and Jang Jong Hyun starred in their team's victory with four goals apiece. Other scorers were Oh Dae Keun, Lee Jae Won, You Hyo Sik and Kang Seong Jung. Sri Lanka scored both of their goals in the second half through M. M. Gazalli.
Three-time champions Pakistan, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore are in Group A while Group B comprises two-time winners South Korea, defending champions India, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.