Home team Malaysia did a stellar service to their country’s hockey when it mattered. There were about 5000 crowd, even spilling across the fence opposite main gallery.

All the three Sultans, Pahang, Johor and Perak, were here.

There cannot be a better occasion for the home team than this to show they matter.

captain Noor Faeez reserved his best, scoring a brace, first one to draw 2-2 and then the golden goal.

The golden goal was his seventh, highest for any individual here.

That the Malaysians tamed the lions Australia is a testimony to their rising status in the hockey world.

The team deserves the win, as it managed to come out of bad shows in the beginning and then when counted, it put it across strong Asian teams such as Korea, Pakistan and India.

Malaysia had, on their point of view, the tough draw with NZ and Australia in the pool their first rivals.

And then they saw to it the Cup doesn’t cross the Pacific, and stays at home.

The entire team, coach Dharmaraj and Manager Gopinathan deserves praise.

Malaysia spotted 145 players two years ago, and called them 2013 squad. They have been continuously put into drill.

The planning has paid today, though coach Dharam feels it should also reflect in jr World Cup qualifier to come off in Malaysia next June.

Malaysian played an agggressive brand of hockey, and it paid rich dividends
Fairplay Award to New Zealand

Man of the Match: Hazru Faiz of Malaysia

Man of the tournament: Saar Mod Fitri

Top Scorer: Noor Faeez