Three Malaysian players, including captain Razie Rahim, got up from their bed to score a goal each in the home team's fighting 3-3 draw.
Down with flu for the past three days, the three players were considered non-starters and reserves were yesterday summoned to Ipoh, but these senior players -- skipper Razie, Firhan Ansari and Shahril Saabah -- insisted on playing.
Firhan opened the scoring for Malaysia by capitalising on a diagonal ball from Azhan Hasan in the 15th minute.
Nick Wilson then scored two identical field goals in the 22nd and 34th minutes, going past a couple of Malaysian defenders on each occasion.
Also Read
Captain Razie sent a soaring penalty corner into the net to bring Malaysia to 2-2 parity in the 44th minute.
Four minutes later, Shahril shot on target during a penalty corner melee to raise prospects of a Malaysian victory.
It was a chance they hung on to while defending a series of penalty corners five minutes before the hooter.
Earlier, former champions India and Pakistan posted narrow wins on the opening day of the 25th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
Asian Games winners India overcame a stiff Japanese challenge 2-1, while Pakistan prevailed 3-1 against Canada.