Young Tigers menunjukkan taringnya di Piala Dunia Hoki Remaja 1979
Pada 1979, Malaysia layak ke Piala Dunia Hoki Remaja yang pertama. Bersama mereka yang maju dari Kelayakan Asia-Oceania ialah Singapura, India, dan pemenang kejohanan, Pakistan. Di Piala Dunia yang diadakan di Versailles, Malaysia ditempatkan dalam Kumpulan A bersama Belanda, India, Sepanyol, Chile dan tuan rumah Perancis.
Pada perlawanan pembukaan, pasukan negara mengalahkan India 2-1. Malaysia ketinggalan 0-1 pada minit ke-18 apabila pemain sayap kanan India, Syed Jalaluddin mengelecek beberapa pemain Malaysia sebelum melepaskan flik ‘reverse’ menewaskan penjaga gol Mohammad Sayuti. Mengulangi kepakarannya seperti di pusingan kelayakan, Foo Keat Seong menyamakan kedudukan dengan pukulan sudut pendek pada minit ke-25. Apabila dihadiahkan pukulan penalti, Colin Sta Maria tidak mempersiakan peluang dan berjaya menjaringkan gol kemenangan pada minit ke-56.
Malaysia mencatat dua kemenangan berturut-turut setelah menewaskan Sepanyol 2-0 hasil jaringan Wallace Tan dan Kevin Nunis. Malangnya, mereka dihampakan oleh Belanda dalam kekalahan 2-1 yang meletakkan pasukan Belanda di tempat teratas kumpulan. Namun, pasukan kebangsaan bangkit semula untuk memenangi dua lagi perlawanan kumpulan, menewaskan Perancis 1-0, dengan gol sudut daripada Foo Keat Seong, serta Chile 2-0 keesokan harinya menerusi jaringan Razak Leman dan Colin Sta Maria.
Setelah menduduki tempat kedua dalam Kumpulan A, Malaysia mara ke peringkat separuh akhir di mana Malaysia bertemu pemenang Kumpulan B iaitu Pakistan. Penguasaan Pakistan dalam perlawanan tersebut tidak dapat dinafikan dan mereka akhirnya menang 4-2. Gol-gol Malaysia dijaringkan sekali lagi oleh Foo Keat Seong dan Colin St Maria. Pada hari yang sama, sempena hari kemerdekaan, telah diumumkan bahawa Malaysia akan menjadi tuan rumah Piala Dunia Hoki Remaja 1982.
Ini belum penghujung jalan bagi pasukan hoki Malaysia kerana mereka sekali lagi bertemu Belanda untuk saingan tempat ketiga. Foo Keat Seong berjaya memberikan gol terakhir untuk negara tetapi ia tidak cukup untuk menumbangkan Juara Eropah 1978. Belanda menang 2-1.
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In 1979, Malaysia qualified for the first edition of the Hockey Junior World Cup. Advancing with them from the Asia-Oceania Qualifiers were Singapore, India and winners Pakistan. At the World Cup, which was held in Versailles, Malaysia was placed in Pool A with the Netherlands, India, Spain, Chile, and hosts France.
In the opening match, the national team defeated India 2–1. Malaysia was down 0–1 in the 18th minute when Indian right-winger Syed Jalaluddin sped through several Malaysian players before releasing a reverse flick past goalkeeper Mohammad Sayuti. Repeating his specialty from the qualifying round, Foo Keat Seong gave Malaysia their equaliser with a short corner shot in the 25th minute. After being awarded a penalty, Colin Sta Maria scored the winning goal in the 56th minute.
Malaysia was on a winning streak after meeting Spain in the second match, defeating them 2-0 with goals from Wallace Tan and Kevin Nunis. However, they were brought down by the Netherlands in a 2-1 defeat that put their opponents on top of the leaderboard, which secured them a place in the semi-finals. Nevertheless, the national team won their last two group matches, defeating France 1-0 with a corner goal by Foo Keat Seong and Chile 2–0 the next day with goals from Razak Leman and Colin Sta Maria.
After placing second in Pool A, Malaysia secured a ticket to the semi-finals where they met Pool B winners, Pakistan. Unfortunately, Pakistan dominated the match and won 4-2. Malaysia’s goals were scored by Foo Keat Seong and Colin Sta Maria. On the same day, in conjunction with Malaysia’s independence day, it was announced that they would host the 1982 Junior World Cup.
It was not the end of the road for Malaysia just yet as they once again met the Netherlands for the third place match. While Foo Keat Seong delivered a final goal for Malaysia, it was not enough to take down the 1978 European champions. The Netherlands won 2-1.
