Malaysia thump moody Dragon

07/07/2003

CHINA were in a mean mood in the first half of the third friendly,
probably because the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) forgot to arrange
for transport, and the players had to travel by taxis to the Kuala Lumpur
HA Stadium.
MHF liason officer S. Karunakaran was nowhere to be seen, and the match
started 30 minutes late as the Chinese needed time to warm up. And when
the match started, the Chinese practicaly camped in the Malaysian semi-
circle for 35 minutes - looking very dangerous and angry.
China became bolder as the match progressed, and had a field day with
plenty of shots at goal but the shots whizzed to the left, right and hit
the post three times.
Malaysia were in a daze as coach Paul Lisek benched striker Tajol Rosli
and pushed Chua Boon Huat to the backline with S. Kuhan.
Midfielder P. Prabahkaran was tried out as a striker and it worked as he
deflected in the crucial equaliser.
Chua played much better in the backline, and now Lissek has more options
in his hands for the Champions Challenge in Randburg, South Africa on July
19-27.
China's Song Yi scored a field goal in the 42nd minute, and suddenly the
sleeping Malaysian side woke up and started to take control of the match.
And hardly a minute later, Prabahkaran deflected in Malaysia's first
penalty corner, and the tide turned.
The Malaysian attack became sharper and they started winning penalty
corners. In the 57th minute, Kuhan sent the ball into the top of the goal
and broke China's fighting spirit.
And seconds before the final horn blew, Malaysia won a penalty corner
and Kuhan made it 3-1.
Newly-appointed China coach Khwaja Junaid could not have asked for
better players to take charge of, but he might not be too long with the
team.
Pakistan, who went into turmoil after their coach Shahnaz Sheikh
resigned, are said to be looking towards Khwaja to save them.
"I have not heard anything to that effect from back home. But personally
speaking, I will not leave the Chinese in a lurch as they have just hired
me. I am a professional and I will finish my job with China first before
looking at other options," said Khwaja
Shahnaz stepped down recently citing "personal commitments" after being
charged with instigating players Sohail Abbas and Waseem Ahmad to play in
the professional league in Germany.
It was alleged that Sohail and Waseem went to Germany after a go-ahead
from Shahnaz who was later elevated as manager. Shahnaz has vehemently
denied the charges and resigned.
Khwaja has been entrusted to lead China to a top-four finish in the Asia
Cup in Kuala Lumpur in September but when he was pushed harder on the
clarion call for help from back home, Khwaja finally set a condition for
his return.
"I will only return to Pakistan as a coach on one condition, if the call
is from my employers (Allied Bank) and the Pakistan Hockey Federation find
a capable replacement, of the same standard as I, to take over the
Chinese," said Khwaja.
RESULT
MALAYSIA.................3 CHINA.............1
P. Prabahkaran (43rd) Song Yi (42nd)
S. Kuhan (57th, 70th)
(END)