Kuala lumpur: Experienced hitman Faizal Saari bagged a hat-trick to inspire the national men's hockey team to trounce Uzbekistan 7-0 for a flying start to their 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games campaign in Gifu, Japan, today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, in the Group B opener at Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium, Faizal scored a 15th-minute field goal, a 24th-minute penalty corner goal, and a penalty stroke goal in the 43rd minute.

Malaysia's other goals came courtesy of Norsyafiq Sumantri, who scored in the 11th minute via a penalty corner, substitute Azimuddin Syakir Kamaruddin with a 36th-minute penalty corner goal, and Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal, who netted a field goal in the 59th minute. Defender Faiz Helmi Jali rounded off the scoring with a field goal in the 60th minute.

The Speedy Tigers, coached by South African Brendon Carolan, will take on Oman in their second Group B match on Tuesday, September 22. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.

The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which officially opened yesterday, will conclude on October 4.