Malaysia heading for rock-bottom

15/05/08
RESULTS: India 2 Pakistan 1, New Zealand 3 Canada 0, Belgium 4 Malaysia 2.
MALAYSIA lost 4-2 to Belgium yesterday, and are now firmly rooted at the bottom of the 17th Azlan Shah Cup standings.
And if they remain there after their last pool match against India tomorrow, there will be no need for a play-off, as the lowest is among the fifth and sixth only.
Malaysia were forced to defend from the whistle, as Belgium inserted great pressure and goalkeeper S. Kumar had to bring out a few heroic saves.
But the inevitable finally happened in the 20th minute, when Charles Vandeweghe gave his team the lead with a rebound goal.
Malaysia went on the offensive after that, and played some great hockey before sounding the board for the equaliser in the 24th minute.
Amin Rahim’s low flick gave a cracking sound as it crashed onto the board, and Malaysia went into the breather on equal terms with Belgium.
But the second half turned into a nightmare, as Malaysia kept on missing sitters while Vandeweghe scored his brace in the 43rd.
Malaysia equalised at 2-2 in the 46th minute when Amin Rahim scored again, but the Belgians walked away with full points with strikes from Jerome Dekeyser (52nd) and Thomas Briels (69th).
Meanwhile, India put up a brave front to beat Pakistan 2-1 and open the door to the final a little wider. India, with nine points, now need to beat Malaysia to play in the final.
Sandeep Singh (seventh) and Diwakar Ram (26th), scored for India in the first half off penalty corners, while Muhammad Saqlain (59th) scored from the penalty spot for Pakistan in the second half.
New Zealand beat Canada 3-0 with goals from David Kosoof 20th, Dean Couzins 48th and Nicholas Wilson 63rd.
TODAY: Rest Day.
MAY 17: Argentina v Canada (4pm), India v Malaysia (6pm), New Zealand v Belgium (8pm).
P W D L F A Pts
ARGENTINA 5 4 1 0 17 6 13
PAKISTAN 6 3 1 2 18 16 10
INDIA 5 3 0 2 15 15 9
BELGIUM 5 2 0 3 14 14 6
NEW ZEALAND 5 2 0 3 11 13 6
CANADA 5 1 1 3 5 10 4
MALAYSIA 5 1 1 3 8 14 4