SECOND RIUND GROUPING

SECOND ROUND GROUPING

GROUPINGS – MEDAL ROUND

(1st to 8th Placing)

GROUP E
Argentina
Holland
Germany
Spain

GROUP F
Australia
South Korea
Pakistan
New Zealand

(9th to 16th Placing)

GROUP G
Belgium
India
Japan
England

GROUP H
South Africa
Malaysia
Egypt
Poland

(17th to 20th Placing)

GROUP I
Russia
Chile
USA
Singapore

FINAL STANDINGS

RESULTS: Group A: Egypt 1 Argentina 3, Belgium 2 Pakistan 1; Group B: Australia 2 South Africa 0, Germany 3 Japan 1; Group C: South Korea 2 England 2, Spain 3 Malaysia 3; Group D: Netherlands 2 New Zealand 2, India 4 Poland 2.

FINAL STANDINGS 11/06/09

NOTE: The top-two teams in each group advance to the medal round.

Group A
P W D L F A Pts
Argentina 4 3 0 1 17 7 9
Pakistan 4 3 0 1 15 6 9
Belgium 4 3 0 1 13 6 9
Egypt 4 1 0 3 5 11 3
Russia 4 0 0 4 6 25 0


Group B
P W D L F A Pts
Australia 4 3 1 0 13 2 10
Germany 4 3 1 0 13 2 10
South Africa 4 1 1 2 7 8 4
Japan 4 1 1 2 6 11 4
Chile 4 0 0 4 2 18 0


Group C
P W D L F A Pts
South Korea 4 3 1 0 12 2 10
Spain 4 2 1 1 14 5 7
Malaysia 4 2 1 1 9 7 7
England 4 1 1 2 7 5 4
US 4 0 0 4 2 25 0



Group D
P W D L F A Pts
Netherlands 4 3 1 0 20 6 10
New Zealand 4 2 2 0 15 6 8
India 4 2 1 1 18 7 7
Poland 4 1 0 3 7 20 3
Singapore 4 0 0 4 2 23 0

Argentina in medal round

DEFENDING champions Argentina advanced into the medal round from Group A of the Junior World Cup when they beat Egypt 3-1 at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru yesterday.

But it was not an easy win, as they went into the break tied 1-1 and Egypt were pressing hard.

A penalty stroke in the second half gave Argentina a life-line, and they went on to win the match.

The Argentine scorers yesterday were Santiago Miguel (21st, 39th) and Leandro Tolini (49th). Houssam Ghabran scored for Egypt in the 27th minute.

Also in Group A, Pakistan qualified for the medal round even though they lost 2-1 to Belgium. Pakistan had a better goals average, and finished second to Argentina in the g roup.

In Group C, even though South Korea had already qualified for the medal round, they still played their hearts out and held England to a 2-2 draw to remain unbeaten.

Marc Edwards (sixth) and David Beckett (56th) scored for England while Kang Moon Kweon (52nd) and Lee Dong Hyun (63rd) scored for South Korea.

And in Group D, New Zealand and Netherlands played to a 2-2 draw to advance to the medal round, shutting the door on India who were reduced to playing in the classifications.

Malaysia's best not good enough

Malaysia’s Faizal Saari (right) is tackled by Spain’s Xavier Lleonart in their Junior World Cup Group C match in Johor yesterday. The match ended 3-3. — Pic: HAIRUL ANUAR ABD RAHIM

MALAYSIA were 3-1 down, then went on to draw 3-3 with European Champions Spain in Group C, but it was not good enough to take them to the medal round of the Junior World Cup.
Backed by a packed stadium, Malaysia were guilty of making one silly mistake which led to the equaliser, while the umpire from Belgium Vincent Loos made a big blunder which made it 2-1 in favour of Spain.
Malaysia started on a confident note, and received the tonic that they needed in the ninth minute itself, which send the 6,000-odd crown into wild celebrations.
Spain were deep inside the Malaysian semi-circle, and a back-stick clearance by skipper Khairul Anuar found Izwan Firdus who made a darting run and passed the ball to Faizal Shaari.
Faizal scored his fouth goal of the tournament with a reverse-stick shot, a Spanish trademark, to beat goalkeeper Francesc Mata and Malaysia were in the lead.
But even before the celebrations died down, Malaysia were in the receiving end as they made two mistakes which allowed Spain to equalise, and then take the lead.
Roc Oliva scored the equaliser in the 20th minute and two minutes later, Javier Garcia made it 2-1. Malaysia protested the second goal, claiming the ball had gone out of play, but the umpire stood firm and it became an uphill batle as the half-time hooter blew.
But Malaysia were not ready to give up, and 30 seconds into the second half, they won their first penalty corner of the match, but Faizal's high flick was palmed away by the goalkeeper.
Malaysia threw everything at the Spaniards, but were unlucky to conceede their third goal in the 49th minute when Xavier Lleonart scored off a penalty corner.
Being 3-1 down would have cracked any junior team, but the boys in yellow were in no mood to give up, and Harvinder Singh scored for Malaysia in the 54th minute, and the match turned into a pulsating affair.
The boys were rewarded for their persistence in the 60th minute, Mohamed Noor Khairul equalised with a deft touch, and the fans went wild in celebrations,
However, the Spaniards held onto the draw, and advanced to the madal round, as the Malaysian players received a standing ovation from their fans.

Walsh: Change for the better

FORMER Malaysian coach Terry Walsh feels it is time the International Hockey Federation (FIH) makes some changes to make hockey more exciting and spectator friendly.

Terry is in Johor Baru as consultant to the United States team, and said with the speed of play increasing with every passing tournament, his suggestion will not only make the game flow more freely, but also reduce the number of injur ies.

“Among the rules that should be changed is the number of players on the pitch during a match.

“ I hope that one day it will be reduced to just eight or nine players playing at any one time,” said Walsh.

He said this will give more space for good hockey as with the current 22 players on the pitch, space is limited.

“Confining 22 players to the pitch reduces free flowing hockey and there are just too many stoppages due to infringements.” He said it would be easier to reduce the number of players than to increase the size of the pitch: “It will be cost effective, rather than laying new pitches.” Another rule that Walsh would like to be sent to the archives is the obstruction rule.

It is pointless given the present circumstances, and hampers the flow, as players can shield the ball provided they move in one direction.”