DHAKA: Pakistan’s start to the Super 4 campaign of the Asia Cup got off to the worst possible start when they twice relinquished the lead before losing 3-2 to Malaysia in a thriller at the Maulana Bhashani Stadium on Wednesday.

Having finished behind India in Pool ‘A’, Pakistan now face a must-win match against South Korea on Thursday to keep their final hopes alive going into their final match against India. India and South Korea played out a 1-1 draw in the second game of the day.

Malaysia showed a lot of grit and determination as they came back after falling behind twice early on against Pakistan.

“This win was a result of the players being in high spirits,” Malaysia coach Stephen van Huizen said after the match. “Even though Pakistan scored two goals, the players came back twice to win this important match.”

After Umar Bhutta gave Pakistan a first-minute lead, Malaysia were dealt a blow when Faizal Shaari took a nasty knock on his mouth and with blood oozing out, left the pitch for medical treatment and was out for a good 10 minutes.

But Malaysia found the equaliser off their first penalty corner in the 10th. Razie Rahim scored with a low flick for his first goal of the tournament.

But Pakistan took again when Muhammad Yaqoob tapped in from close range in the 19th minute before Shahril Saabah levelled with a sly tap in from close range six minutes later.

The winner came in the 34th when Fitri Shaari scored from a penalty stroke. The stroke was awarded when Pakistan goalkeeper Mazhar Abbas slammed his pads into Haziq Samsul’s stomach.

Haziq was stretchered out, but Malaysia held on to win and take a step closer to the final.

India needed a goal from Gurjant Singh a minute from time to secure a point against South Korea.

Unbeaten India have looked the most convincing team in the tournament so far but the dangerous and defensive Koreans came tantalisingly close to register a stunning win over the the Manpreet Singh-led side.

Despite enjoying the lions share of possession and having better scoring chances, the in-form Indian strikers found it difficult to breach the resolute Korean defence.

Jungjun Lee put the defending champions ahead in the 41st minute and India were staring at a defeat until Gurjant drove from a tight angle in a goal-melee in the 59th.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2017