AUSTRALIA had to work doubly hard to edge Japan 2-1 in hockey’s curtain raiser of the Sultan of Johor Cup at Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru yesterday. Australia coach Ben Bishop said he had expected a hard time from Japan. ‘Last year we faced the same predicament in our first match against Japan (which Australia won 2-1). ‘So this year we came onto the pitch expecting another tough fight, and Japan gave my players exactly that.’Bishop feels that Australia need to improve their penalty corner battery when they face Malaysia today. ‘Malaysian players are fast and skilful, so we need to be ready for everything.’TODAY: Malaysia v Australia (8.35pm), Japan v Britain (4pm), India v New Zealand (6pm).

Source: New Strait Times October 13, 2019 00:33 UTC