Unfit Malaysians lose steam

08/01/2003

MALAYSIA Under-16............0
PAKISTAN.....................6
FITNESS, or the lack of it, seems to be the problem with both Malaysian
teams playing in the International Under-19 Four-Nation tournament at the
National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
The Under-19 side, after Saturday's brilliant opening match in which
they beat South Korea 3-1, fell flat against India on Monday and could
only manage a 1-1 draw.
And yesterday, the Under-16 team (Project Squad) displayed similar
symptoms against Pakistan after a splendid performance in the 1-1 draw
with Korea on Monday.
Coaches of both teams blamed the long lay-off during December's double
festival.
Nevertheles, there was still some fight in the Malaysian Project Squad
and for every attacking green shirt, there were at least four Malaysian
juniors making an attempt to steal the ball.
Too many back-passes, which were hardly used against Korea, saw Pakistan
scoring the first goal in the 15th minute. Yasir Islam stole the ball from
a bad Malaysian backpass and gave Malaysian goalkeeper Ahmad Bazli no
chance.
Bazli, rocked by the early goal, had a sterling match after that and
confidently stopped more than six shots at goal. But since the forwards
were hardly moving, the defenders were soon worn out and started falling
even with the slightest body contact.
The second goal was a blunder by Bazli, who was paying more attention to
an injured Razie Rahim at the top of the semi-circle and failed to notice
Tariq Aziz take a shot from the right in the 30th minute.
Seconds before half-time, Tariq, after a neat one-two with Ovais Khan,
slammed the ball past Bazli for his second and Pakistan's third goal.
In the second half, the Project Squad gave the Pakistanis too much room
and paid the price in the 40th minute, Tariq getting his hat-trick from a
field goal.
The Malaysians simply surrendered after that goal and from then on it
was easy pickings for Pakistan. Abdul Assim Khan slotted home the fifth in
the 60th minute, and six minutes later Abbas Haider made it 6-0.
"I agree that (the lack of) fitness is a big problem with the team
because they did not have enough time to get into shape after a long lay-
off during the December holidays.
"But otherwise, the Under-16 players are getting maximum exposure at
international level and I am happy with their fighting spirit and team
work," said Malaysian Project Squad team manager Kon Cheng Choong.
Under-19 coach Stephen van Huizen agreed.
"There is still much work to be done with this team before we can bring
them to a level where they have no problems playing three or four matches
in a stretch. That is why the boys have been showing inconsistency even
though all of them have mastered the basics," said van Huizen.
The Malaysian Under-19 players, who took a break yesterday, meet
Pakistan today, and a win will ensure them a place in Sunday's final.
Today: India v South Korea (6pm), Malaysia v Pakistan (8pm).
Tomorrow: Malaysia U-19 v Malaysia Under-16 (6pm).
Friday: Malaysia Under-16 v India (6pm), South Korea v Pakistan (8pm).
(END)