KUALA LUMPUR: The Speedy Tigers will face another tough battle against South Korea on Thursday after labouring to beat China 5-4 in the opening match of the Asian Champions Trophy at Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Punjab, India on Tuesday.
With the win over China, Malaysia moved up one spot to 13th in the world rankings.
In the recent Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Malaysia, who won silver in the Asiad, routed China 5-0.
National men's hockey team manager Datuk Ahmad Najmi Abdul Razak said Malaysia struggled to beat China due to exhaustion.
