Although the Juniors lost, credit goes to goalkeeper Mohammad Iqbal who brought off more than a dozen brilliant saves during the game or his side could have been beaten by a bigger margin.
While the Pakistanis were kept at bay by Malaysia goalkeeper Roslan bin Jamaluddin a number of times, they also squandered gilt-edged chances througout the encounter.
The first chance for the local side came through Kashif Yaqoob but his 7th-minute effort hit was well saved by Jamaluddin.
Iqbal was tested by Malaysia’s Chua Boon Huat the next minute in a counter-attack, while Pakistanis pressed for the opening goal in the 15th minute but Shabbir Ahmad was denied by Jamaluddin.
The home side came near scoring five minutes later when Akhtar Ali took the possession from 25-yard line and fed Shabbir whose deflection was padded away by Jamaluddin.
Mohammad Imran’s try off the first short corner in the 22nd minute was smartly smothered by an alert Jamaluddin. Malaysians were quick to respond as they attacked the Pakistani half within seconds only to see substitute Nishel Kumar’s cross being wasted by Ismail bin Abu.
Malaysia cashed-in on a defensive lapse by Pakistan which gave an open chance to an unmarked Amin whose straight hit was timely deflected by bin Abu from mid-circle for the first goal two minutes before lemons.
Soon after resumption, Malaysia could have enhanced the lead but Huat’s effort from the first short corner ricocheted off the bar for safety.
Pakistan Juniors equalised with Mohammad Imran’s free hit threading its way past a forest of legs and going into the Malaysia net following Akhtar’s deflection in the 46th minute.
The 48th-minute saw Jamaluddin producing a series of stupendous saves when first home side’s captain Tariq Aziz attempted and then both Shabbir and Tariq tried off rebounds but in vain.
Iqbal saved a 55th-minute short corner with a right pad before thwarting the Malaysians during another penalty corner five minutes later.
Mohd Riduan threatened the Pakistan goal but found Iqbal vigilant under the bar, while Norazlan bin Rahim and Riduan were also frustrated by Iqbal in the dying moments of the game.
Amin eventually brought joy on the Malaysian bench when he scored the match winner from a penalty corner, the fifth earned by the visitors, seconds before the final hooter.
PAKISTAN JUNIORS: Mohammad Iqbal, Ikhlaq Ahmad, Imran Khan, Mohammad Imran, Sultan Ashraf, Kashif Yaqoob, Tariq Aziz (captain), Shabbir Ahmad, Mohammad Khalid.
Malaysia: Roslan bin Jamaluddin, Mohd Sukri, Chua Boon Huat, Mohd Madzil, Mohd Amin, Logan Raj, Azlan bin Misron, Norazlan bin Rahim, Azll bin Misron, Ismail bin Abu, Talol Roslle bin Muhamed.
SATURDAY’S FIXTURE: Pakistan Seniors v Malaysia 3.30 p.m.