Rejuvenated Malaysia snatch draw

24/01/2002

AUSTRALIA were held 2-2 by Malaysia in the Six-Nation last night at the
National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil, injecting fresh hope into their
World Cup campaign.
On Feb 24, Malaysia open accounts with Australia and yesterday's draw,
to a certain extent, was a big boost for the national team which has been
struggling to find their form.
But as a word of caution, Australia did not play to par, like they did
in the 4-4 draw against Holland, and might have held back a few punches
for the big day.
But nobody can take the thunder out of the Malaysian side, because the
draw almost equals as a win for Paul Lissek's men who put their heart into
the match, especially in the second half.
When the match started, the sky was dark and overcast and all ready to
shed tears for Malaysia because they were expected to face a torrid time
against the Sydney 2000 Olympic bronze medallists.
And five minutes into the match, Australia pinned Malaysia in the
semicircle but there were no dangerous moves from them because they were
looking like they were tasting the waters.
And under constant harassment, the defenders finally made a mistake and
awarded a penalty corner. Australia are not well known for direct attempts
and only score througn indirect move off Troy Elder.
But in the seventh minute penalty corner, Matthew Wells' slow but well
placed shot hit the post and Malaysia were spared the agony of conceding
an early goal.
But not for long. Because for a good 10 minutes, Malaysia had yet to
make a single move into Australia's semicircle and goalkeeper Mark Hickman
had an easy time being a mere spectator in the lop-sided match.
And in the 11th minute the Australians were rewarded for their constant
forays with a penalty corner. This time Elder's flick sailed into the back
of the goal and all the onrushing defenders were caught by surprise at the
speed of the ball.
Malaysia kept on defending and hardly made any dangerous moves and the
best chance they had was bungled by Tajol Rosli whose foot was faster than
the stick and he stepped on the ball while making a dash for goal.
Maninderjit Singh, a fullback, moved upfront to help the strikers and K.
Gobinathan took his place at the back. Mike, as he is popularly known, won
Malaysia the first penalty corner in the 17th minute. Chua Boon Huat's
flick was stopped by goalkeeper Hickman but in the ensuing scramble
Malaysia were awarded another penalty corner. But this time, the ball was
not properly stopped and Malaysia lost a golden opportunity.
But in the 29th minute, a sizzling pass from Rodhanizam Nor was
connected into goal by skipper Mirnawan Nawawi. It was Mirnawan's first
international goal since the Azlan Shah Cup in October and he went wild
celebrating it.
Even Lissek, who sat on players bench looking troubled, jumped up to
celebrate at the sidelines.
Malaysia played better after that but in the 34th minute, just before
the half-time horn blew, Jamie Dwyer pulled ahead for Australia off a
field goal and Malaysia went into the changing room to plot the second
half strategy.
A well organised Malaysia emerged from the changing room and Mirnawan
ran with a strut which was missing for the past six months and buoyed by
the ability to score against Australia, they took the match to the other
semicircle.
And in the 40th minute, Australia could have gone higher up when
Maninderjit stopped a cross across the Malaysian goalmouth for Matthew
Smith. Smith, who normally relishes on such moments, shot wide to the
amazement of the crowd.
And in the 47th minute, Jiwa Mohan did the only good move by getting
entangled with Adam Commens. Commens was flashed the yellow card and was
sent to the sin-bin. The Aussies were one-man down and it was now or never
for Malaysia to find the equaliser.
And Malaysia did not waste the opportunity when three minutes later they
won a penalty corner and as Jiwa Mohan's flick crashed into the net, the
2,000-odd crowd went wild.
Oozing with confidence after that, Malaysia took the match to Australia
and made numerous attempts on the right, Lissek's favourite side, but
Australia held on to the draw.
And when the final horn blew, Malaysia had every reason to celebrate and
the overcast sky turned into a hue of colours, and this time, held back
the tears for Malaysia.
Lissek paid tribute to his defenders, but said the match could have gone
either way.
"It was touch and go in the first half, but this is fresh hope for the
team and I hope to build on it," said Lissek.
jugjet@nstp.com.my
RESULTS
AUSTRALIA 2 MALAYSIA 2
Troy Elder (11th) Mirnawan Nawawi (29th)
Jamie Dwyer (34th) Jiwa Mohan (50th)
PAKISTAN 3 N ZEALAND 1
Sohail Abbas (35th) Ken Robinson (12th)
Kashif Jawad (49th)
Saleem Khalid (55th)
(END)