MALAYSIA started on a pathetic note, when they clawed back from being 0-2 down, to hold Singapore to a 2-2 draw in the Junior Asia Cup in Hyderabad, India, yesterday. And after leveling the score, Noor Khairul Azrain was flashed the red card, and a 10-man Malaysia struggled until the end.
Juniors coach V. Muraleedharan described the Malaysian match as “rubbish”.
“The boys were just too eager to get back into the match after Singapore took the lead in the 20th minute off a penalty corner rebound, and that resulted in Malaysia chasing a 0-2 lead at the end of the first half.
“In the dressing room, I told them to remain calm and play their normal game, and (Ahmad) Kazamirul score off a penalty corner in the 44th minute.
“Hang (Edzharsyah) leveled the score with a field attempt in the 49th minute and the team were looking good, but the un-necessary red card blew our chances,” said Muraleedharan.
Malaysia and Singapore are co-hosts of the Junior World Cup. Now, Malaysia will have a mammoth task of qualifying for the semi-finals, as they must beat Japan and India in the remaining pool matches.
RESULTS: Group A -- Singapore 2 Malaysia 2, India 2 Japan 0; Group B: Oman 1 Pakistan 3, Bangladesh 0 South Korea 8.
TODAY: Group A -- Singapore v Japan, Malaysia v India.
TOMORROW: Group B -- Oman v Bangladesh, South Korea v Pakistan.
July 14: Group A -- Japan v Malaysia, India v Singapore; Group B: Pakistan v Bangladesh, South Korea v Oman.
TOMORROW: Group B -- Oman v Bangladesh, South Korea v Pakistan.
July 14: Group A -- Japan v Malaysia, India v Singapore; Group B: Pakistan v Bangladesh, South Korea v Oman.
