Malaysia Vs Japan Asian Champions Trophy 5th Place Play-off Highlights: JPN Seal The Victory With A Shootout Win

Welcome to the live coverage of the Malaysia vs Japan fifth place play-off match at the Asian Champions Trophy. The game starts at 10:30am IST.

Malaysia will face Japan in the 5th place play-off of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 in Hulunbuir on Monday. Both teams are at the bottom of the points table after the league stage.

Malaysia have registered only one victory in the tournament so far and that too came against Japan. 

Japan have not won any match in the tournament. Their only success came in the opening game of the tournament when they played out a 5-5 draw against South Korea.

The action is about to kick off. In just a few minutes, the players will hit the field to battle it out for fifth place in the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy. Let's cheer for our favorite teams.

The players walk out and stand for the national anthems, starting with Malaysia's and followed by Japan's.

Kazumasa Matsumoto from Japan strikes first, finding the back of the net and giving his team the lead. Both teams were battling for a circle entry to earn a penalty corner, but Japan managed to pull it off unexpectedly.

Akhimullah Anuar of Malaysia capitalizes on a crucial penalty corner just when it was needed most. The Japan goalie made an initial save, but Anuar followed up with a sharp side strike that found its way into the net.

Both teams are battling hard for the lead, with Malaysia looking slightly stronger. Japan is attempting man-to-man marking, but not executing it to the fullest. Japan effortlessly take possession again but fall short on the circle entry.

The hooter blows, signaling the end of the first quarter with a 1-1 tie and two green cards for Japan. Now, we’ll see which side can seize the advantage in the second quarter.

Faizal Saari of Malaysia delivers, giving his team the lead they needed by sending the ball into the net, capitalizing on the PC, while the Japan goalie missed it. A strong position for Malaysia. Japan will need to fight harder as Malaysia proves they’re here to play.

AND GOALLL, Yuki Chiba of Japan takes revenge, scoring to equalize Malaysia’s lead. The competition is intense, with both teams fighting hard.

The hooter blows, signaling halftime after a dramatic penalty corner miss by Malaysia. Japan made a stunning save to keep the score level. It’s all up for grabs in the second half. Will one team pull ahead or will the game stay tied?

Faizal Saari of Malaysia converts a penalty stroke, sending it straight into the net for his second goal of the match. He’s securing the lead his team needs, while Japan looks increasingly tense.

AND ANOTHER EQUALIZER FROM JAPAN. Kazumasa Matsumoto of Japan strikes again, leveling the score. The match is intensifying as both teams are neck-and-neck in every aspect.

Fitri Saari of Malaysia converts a net stroke to put his team ahead at the start of the fourth quarter. With the match now in its final minutes, can Japan mount a comeback?

Seren Tanaka of Japan scores his first goal of the tournament at a crucial moment, leveling the score with Malaysia. With just seconds left, the outcome is still up in the air.

The final hooter blows with the score tied 4-4. What a game; both teams fought hard and refused to give up, showing true determination.

We are in the shootout now after the dramatic equalizer.

In a nail-biting finish, Japan snatched victory with a cool-headed performance in the shootout. The game had been a rollercoaster, but Japan’s calm and skillful play under pressure turned the tide.

With this amazing game, Japan secured the 5th spot in the Asian Champions Trophy. Their impressive shootout performance not only showcased their skill and resilience but also earned them a well-deserved position.

Takumi KITAGAWA (JPN)

Japan clinched the fifth position in the Asian Champions Trophy with a hard-fought win after a 4-4 draw pushed the game into a penalty shootout.

They defeated Malaysia 4-2 in the shootout, showcasing their resilience and composure under pressure to finish strong in the standings. That’s all from the game, see you all again with another exciting match.