BHUBANESWAR: The Speedy Tigers are out of the World Cup quarter-final reckoning after losing to Spain 4-3 in a penalty shootout.
Earlier, they drew 2-2 in regulation time during the crossover game at the Kalinga Stadium here on Sunday (Jan 22).
In the shootout, it was tied 3-3 but in the sudden death, Marc Miralles turned hero by scoring the winner while Firhan Ashaari missed his one.
In the first quarter, Spain had two penalty corners, one in the first minute and the second in the 12th minute.
But Malaysia dealt with those two situations, with the first shot being stopped by Zulpidaus Mizun and the second penalty corner being saved by goalkeeper Hafizuddin Othman.
In the second quarter, Malaysia looked better in terms of movement and circle penetration, but Spain had the best chance in the 20th minute when Joaquin Menini unleashed a reverse stick shot, which Hafizuddin saved beautifully.
In the third quarter, Spain looked reinvigorated by having lots of possession and deservedly got a third penalty corner, but Hafizuddin played spoiler by making a strong save off Ignacio Rodriguez’s shot in the 32nd minute.
But it was Malaysia who took the lead when Faizal Saari scored a beauty after receiving a top pass from Faiz Helmi Jali in the 35th minute.
Despite the goal, Malaysia were on the back foot and relied on counters.
Spain's resurgence was rewarded when they got a penalty stroke in the 40th minute, and Marc Miralles buried it from the spot.
A few seconds later, a lapse in defending saw Malaysia concede a second when Xavier Gispert scored for Spain.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Malaysia thought they had the equaliser when Amirul Hamizan Azhar scored off a Faizal pass in the 45th minute, but it was ruled out when it was adjudged that Faizal used the back stick to control the ball when falling down.
But eventually Malaysia got their equaliser when Shello Silverius capitalised on a defensive melee by scoring in the 49th minute.
In the last one minute of the game, Spain had three penalty corners to get the winner but Malaysia’s defence stayed resolute, especially Hafizuddin who continued with his stellar saves.
The game ended 2-2 and had to be decided via a penalty shootout.
But it proved to be a painful one for Malaysia, as they now play South Africa in the ninth to 16th classification round.
