National side down Argentina in second friendly

04/12/2001

MALAYSIA 4 ARGENTINA 2
THERE was more urgency and better combination when Malaysia played their
second friendly against Argentina at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit
Jalil yesterday.
But everyone, from the fans, the coach to the team manager only had one
thing to say at the end of the match: "I hope they keep up the momentum
and always play like they did today (yesterday)."
The players were more committed, and looked brilliant at times but
still, one could feel that they still lacked the killer punch to be among
the Champions Trophy elite.
Unlike the first match on Saturday where the players seemed lost for
ideas, yesterday Malaysia took the lead in the fourth minute itself when
Razak Saidin won a penalty corner off a solo attempt.
K.Keevan Raj pushed in and S.Kuhan flicked in cooly for the lead but the
celebration was not about the goal but how the national players finally
playing as a team and clicking well in every department.
In the goalmouth, national chief coach Paul Lissek tried out Nasihin
Nubli who was commanding and called the shots well. Nor Azlan Bakar,
Madzli Ikmar and Maninderjit Singh looked solid in defence and rarely made
mistakes.
In the halfline, Chua Boon Huat, Jiwa Mohan and Keevan Raj made some
piercing passes which found the forwards but some poor finishing was the
reason why Malaysia failed to increase the lead.
In the 22nd minute, K.Logan Raj came face to face with goalkeeper Pablo
Moreira but lacked the confidence to beat him. He looked behind for help
but was robbed off the ball.
Argentina played all out in the first 25 minutes but they could do
nothing right and Malaysia did not help their cause by keeping possession
of the ball for long periods with some excellent passing to switch play
from left to right.
In the 31st minute Santiago Pablo scored an opportunist goal when
Nasihin made a poor save which landed at Pablo's feet. Pablo made it 1-1
with a cheeky push on the right.
Malaysia played on like a possessed team and three minutes later, Tajol
Rosli scored after receiving a backflick from Keevan Raj.
In the second half, the match became aggressive and Nor Azlan Bakar was
stretchered out but he came in after five minutes to help keep a tight
grip on defence.
In the second half, Malaysia pinned Argentina in their own semicircle
with some good play by Rodhanizam Radzi and Tajol Rosli.
Lissek made plenty of substitutions and at times sent in three players
at one go but still the team kept their form and did not feel the absence
of key players especially the likes of Kuhan and Chua.
In the 51st minute, Maninderjit Singh made it 3-1 with a simple but
effective flick off a penalty corner attempt. The whole team started
playing better hockey and in the 57th minute, S. Shanker passed to Tajol
on the left and the pint-sized player made the right choice by pushing it
to an unmarked Rodhanizam for their fourth goal.
In the 60th minute Pablo scored his second goal as the Argies finally
woke up from a deep slumber but it was too late.
"They played well in every department today (yesterday), but we must not
get carried away because it was only a friendly. The real test will come
when the Champions Challenge begins on Friday," said Lissek.
Today, Malaysia play their last friendly against South Africa at the
Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium in Jalan Pantai. The match will double up as a
testimonial to Nor Saiful Saini who retired after 328 caps.
Malaysia: Roslan Jamaluddin (gk), Nasihin Nubli (gk), Maninderjit Singh,
Chua Boon Huat, K. Gobinathan, S. Kuhan, Nor Azlan Bakar, Chairil Anwar,
Jiwa Mohan, Madzli Ikmar, Abdul Razak Saidin, Shaiful Azli, K. Keevan Raj,
Rodhanizam Radzi, K. Logan Raj, Azlan Misron, Tajol Rosli, S. Shanker.
(END)