Stick wizards simply too good

07/04/1999

MALAYSIA 1 PAKISTAN 5
THE result was as predictable as Pakistan's wizardry. But this lesson
from the masters of stickwork was just what the young Malaysian team
needed to turn them into a home brew three years from now, reports Jugjet
Singh.
In a one-sided match, Pakistan sliced through the Malaysian defence at
will at the National Hockey Stadium to book a place in the final of the
Azlan Shah Cup.
The difference in class was evident in the first minute when a
threatening Pakistan attack saw goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin stand his
ground to deflect a Shabaz Junior shot out of danger.
Relief didn't last long because five minutes into the match, Pakistan
were ahead. Captain Atif Bashir sliced the defence and a precise pass from
the right saw the ball glue itself to the stick of Naveed Asim, who had
only to tap it past an onrushing Roslan.
Chairil Anwar won Malaysia's first penalty corner in the eighth minute
from which goalkeeper Ahmad Alam made a dangerous clearance off S. Kuhan's
push to give away a second penalty corner. As in the first, Malaysia were
not rewarded.
Malaysia found their bearings after 13 minutes of play and began to win
possession. But as in previous matches, they were let down by poor
passing.
Two minutes later, Malaysia won their third penalty corner but Shaiful
Azli's push from the line could only travel three metres.
Pakistan won their first penalty corner in the 20th but Shoail Abbas'
shot narrowly missed the Malaysian goal.
But they didn't muff another penalty corner chance given away after a
Maninderjit Singh tackle. This time, Shabaz Junior converted cleanly off a
Shoail rebound.
Two minutes after the breather, Pakistan made it 3-0 through Haider
Hussain, who beat five Malaysian players after receiving a through pass.
Malaysia had another penalty corner in the 41st and this time, Kuhan's
powerful flick whizzed past Ahmed Alam to break the duck.
The goal spurred Malaysia and a solo effort by Suhaimi Ibrahim on the
right brought the crowd to their feet. But his half-hearted attempt was
stopped by Shoail.
There was no denying Pakistan their glory in the 47th. From a penalty
corner, Shoail, easily the best penalty corner specialist in Asia, struck
a lightning shot which flashed between the legs of Maninderjit into goal.
In the 60th, Shoail converted his second penalty corner goal to make it
5-1.
(END)