The home side might have seen the result coming as Malaysia are the top ranked side in the eight-nation event. The third best team in Asia, Malaysia are ranked 13th in the world ranking while Bangladesh are 32nd.
Bangladesh's realistic target in the tournament is a place in the last four, which they set as their key goal before the start of the tournament. Saturday's result will have little or no influence on their strategy in the group stage. Bangladesh head coach Oliver Kurtz duly expressed satisfaction with both the performance and result.
Bangladesh will face Fiji in their second Pool A match on Sunday before taking on Oman in their next game.
“We have so many young players. Not so much confidence in the first game but the result is very ok. I'm missing a little bit self confidence and scoring,” said Kurtz.
He added, “We have a long tournament. It's a long way to go. Our boys will improve match by match.”
Bangladesh played three practice matches against Ghana as part of their preparation for the tournament. They lost the first game, drew the next and won the last one. Kurtz believes Bangladesh's performance improved against Malaysia.
“[Saturday], especially the second half is an improvement. Malaysia had more ball possession and control of the match but our young midfielders and young attackers will find our way against Fiji [Sunday],” said Kurtz.
Malaysia began the game with a calm approach. They dominated three quarters of the game while Bangladesh, formed with a bunch of U-18 and U-21 players, perhaps exhibited their best display in the third quarter. The visiting side kept possession with organised attacks as the home side appeared low on confidence.
But Bangladesh looked brighter in the second half.
Bangladesh defenders stop a sure goal from the opposition
DHAKA TRIBUNEMalaysia went ahead in the fifth minute when Jalil Marhan altered the direction of a fierce hit to find the back of the board. The visiting side earned the first penalty corner at the quarter hour mark but the effort was blocked by the Bangladesh defence.
The home side made an immediate counter attack before Romman Sarkar lost possession at the edge of the circle.
Malaysia doubled the lead four minutes into the second quarter, converting their second penalty corner taken by Rahim Razie, following a push from Hassan Azri.
Romman earned Bangladesh's first penalty corner in the 28th minute but drag-and-flick specialist Ashraful Islam's final hit was blocked by Malaysia goalkeeper Othman Hafizuddin after Russel Mahmud Jimmy's push was stopped by Sarwar Hossain.
Bangladesh had another opportunity moments later and this time it was Ashraful again whose close-range shot was saved by Hafizuddin.
The home side enjoyed better position and chances in the third quarter where they earned their second penalty corner. Khorshedur Rahman was there to take the final hit but slipped to waste the chance after Jimmy's push.
Malaysia made it 3-0 in the 53rd minute when Rosemi Aiman connected a cross from the left side to hit the board from the middle of the circle.
Bangladesh also had a great chance within a minute but Hafizuddin produced another clever save to deny Arshad Hossain's shot from Jimmy's cross.
RESULTSChina 7-3 Ghana
Egypt 6-3 Sri Lanka
Oman 7-0 Fiji
Bangladesh 0-3 Malaysia