Pakistan held in second friendly

17/01/2002

MALAYSIA .... 3 PAKISTAN .... 3
MALAYSIA played one of their better matches yesterday and minimised damage
during penalty corners in their second friendly match against Pakistan at
the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Sohail Abbas, one of the top three penalty corner specialists in the
world today, was stunned when goalkeeper Nasihin Nubli charged at him
during the penalty corners while the defenders stayed on the goalline.
Malaysia used this tactic alternatively with the defenders charging
Sohail instead of Nasihin, and the strategy worked well to keep the score
down.
There was more urgency in Malaysia's game and in the first minute K.
Keevan Raj won a penalty corner after receiving a piercing S. Shanker pass
from the halfline. But Chua Boon Huat's powerful flick was palmed away by
Pakistan goalkeeper Mohamed Saqlin.
Malaysia kept up the pressure with some good ball control in midfield,
and were rewarded in the fifth minute with a brilliant field goal.
Keevan started the move from the 25-yard line and found Mirnawan Nawawi
who slipped the ball between the legs of a Pakistan defender to find
Chairil Anwar who finished from close range.
Malaysia kept the pressure on and in the 15th minute were presented with
another goal-scoring chance when Chua's penalty corner flick was palmed
into play by Saqlain but Tajol Rosli, who suddenly found himself with a
chance, froze and in panic passed to a Pakistan defender instead of taking
a shot at goal.
Pakistan replied with a lightning flick from Sohail Abbas in the 20th
minute after they won a penalty corner courtesy of a Malaysian defender's
bad backpass.
It looked like the former Asian giants had awakened from their slumber
but five minutes later, K. Logan Raj scored from a rebound to put Malaysia
on top again.
The hosts had worked hard for a penalty corner and when Maninderjit
Singh's weak flick was stopped by a defender, it looked like Malaysia had
bungled another chance, but Logan scored with a slick shot.
Malaysia kept up their momentum in the second half and Chua scored off a
penalty flick in the 47th minute to increase the lead but Pakistan reduced
the deficit through Sohail Abbas in the 49th minute and seven minutes
later Saleem Khalid equalised.
In the other friendly played earlier, World Cup holders Holland put five
goals past the Japanese who shocked them with two field goals.
All of Holland's goals came from open play as penalty corner specialist
Bram Lomans had a miserable day.
The Dutch also used the match to select their team of 18 from their
squad of 20.
jugjet@nstp.com.my
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