We believe in you, Malaysia!

01/03/2002

JUST like your life is the sum result of all the choices you make - both
consciously and subconsciously - for Malaysia, their destiny in the World
Cup will also be about the choices they make from here on.
Do they want to continue their gallant run. Do they want to despatch the
sweet memories of 1975 to the national archives. And do they want to beat
South Korea tonight?
We will all be well informed about their choice when they line up
against the Koreans at the National Hockey Stadium tonight.
And this time, with the reduction in ticket prices, it is hoped that the
stadium will be packed at its seams by patriotic Malaysians who can help
Malaysia make the right choice.
And they need help, for past records do not favour the hosts. The last
time Malaysia hosted South Korea in the Azlan Shah Cup on Aug 5, we
received a 4-1 drubbing. But that's history.
Tonight, the Koreans must be beaten. They have done well to beat Japan,
and then India. Malaysia's true character will be on test against the
Koreans - a hard running, spirited, and determined side.
The national team needs all the help it can get.
And with Nor Azlan Bakar still in doubt to make the starting list after
complaining of "tightness in his calf muscles", Malaysia are in danger of
losing a solid pillar in their defence and will have to go on the
offensive from the start.
"After two wins, the players will naturally be a little excited but I
will make sure that they enter the field with a level head because the
Koreans cannot be taken lightly," said chief coach Paul Lissek.
Malaysia beat Japan and India not because they were a superiour side,
but because they took their chances well and played like men on a mission
- eventhough many considered them to be also-rans before the World Cup
started.
After watching Korea beat Cuba, India and Japan one thing was evident -
the Sydney 2000 Olympic silver medallists are not invincible and their
wins came from hard running more than an intelligent game-plan.
Malaysia can collect three points from the match, if their game plan is
to attack from the start and not make the same mistake they did when
playing against the Australians.
"Not many people understand my style of play, sometimes even the players
do not understand what I tell them to do. But so far, it has been
effective and I will not change it.
"I have different plans for different teams in the World Cup, so my
approach against the Koreans will not be the same," said Lissek.
Whatever plans Lissek has in store for the Koreans, a win will
consolidate Malaysia's position in the World Cup and hockey will once
again enjoy celebrity status in the country.
And to do that today, they must brush up on their penalty corners - both
in winning them and also in putting them into the goal.
Malaysia failed to win a single penalty corner in the first match
against Australia and the third match against India. And the three they
won against Japan were wasted as S. Kuhan failed to even get the ball off
his stick.
They beat the Japanese for the King and country, the Indians for their
common fans, and now they must beat the Koreans for their own pride.
RESULTS AT A GLANCE
GROUP A
NETHERLANDS 1 SPAIN 1
Karel Klaver (16th) Jordi Quintana (54th)
NEW ZEALAND 2 SOUTH AFRICA 1
Simon Towns (14th)Greg Nicol (35th)
Bevan Hari (59th)
ARGENTINA 2 PAKISTAN 1
Tomas MacCormik (46th) Sohail Abbas (8th)
Matias Paredes (58th)
GERMANY 3 BELGIUM 0
Sebastian Biederlack (24th)
Sascha Reinelt (27th)
Bjorn Michel (53rd)
(END)