Win big battles to win the war

15/12/2001

AS strange as it may sound, the Champions Challenge was the best thing
that has ever happened to the Malaysian team who are preparing for the
2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup on Feb 24 to March 9.
For, now they know where they stand among the bottom half of the teams
that will be playing in the World Cup.
No, they are not a useless side, and their fate in the World Cup has not
yet been fossilised.
This team has shown the will, the hunger, and the physical resilience.
But come February, their destiny will be shaped by either their ability
or inability to win crucial matches.
In the Champions Challenge, that didn't happen. After taking the first
three matches, they needed only a single point in their remaining two
matches to make the final.
But neither Argentina, nor South Africa - as territorially dominated as
they were for most part of the matches - were not about to either be
magnanimous or be outplayed.
South Africa needed a win to make the final. Like Malaysia they had the
will, the hunger, and the physical resilience too. But the Africans had
one more element that clinched it - the ability to win.
And that in the final analysis will decide whether you are up there in
the podium holding the trophy, or in the multitude of spectators cheering
the winners.
And it's not that they cannot win matches. They have mastered the
basics, even consolidated their fitness, but they need the stage presence.
The composure when defenders are not compromising, and the sharpness when
they are presented with half chances in tight situations.
Today, when they meet Argentina, for the second time in the Challenge,
in the third-fourth placing match, their appetite for success and mental
strength will once again come under careful scrutiny.
So against Argentina today, we will know if the team has what it takes
to handle the pressure and fight back when wounded and cornered.
"After winning three matches in a row and needing only a draw in the
next two matches to reach the final of the Champions Challenge, it was
definitely a sad moment when the team was relegated to the third-fourth
placing match tomorrow (today).
"But I am not angry with my men because they have shown that they can
score as well as defend. Now we know our weaknesses which can be overcome
before the World Cup next year," said Paul Lissek.
Against Argentina on Wednesday where Malaysia lost 2-1, even the
Argentinians felt that they only won because luck was on their side.
Malaysia did everyting right but after S. Kuhan missed the penalty stroke,
every attempt by Malaysia was either stopped on the line or the goalposts
were in the way.
Against South Africa on Thursday, it was the same story again but
Malaysia deserve credit because they never gave up fight until the final
whistle was blown.
And instead of celebrating wildly, the South African players dropped to
their knees to thank their good fortune.
Argentina, who came into the tournamant as the favourites after topping
the World Cup Qualifiers in Edinburgh, also found themselves on the wrong
side because they looked overconfident and underestimated India.
Today, both Argentina and Malaysia who had one foot in the final but had
the door rudely slammed on them, will be out to salvage some pride and an
explosive encounter is assured.
But even before the match starts today at 5.30pm, 10 Malaysian players
will be handicapped because they will still be fasting and the afternoon
sun could cause havoc in the form of dehydration.
But nobody will be surprised if they come back strongly against
Argentina today, because all those who have watched them play in the
Champions Challenge, know that this is the most committed team that
Malaysia have produced in a long time.
The only thing they need to do is to start winning when it matters.
jugjet@nstp.com.my
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