Women beat Kazakhstan for Qualifier ticket

THE women’s hockey team achieved their target of fin ishing fifth in the Seventh Asia Cup in Bangkok when they beat Kazakhstan 2-1 yesterday.
The win took them into the World Cup Qualifier, and coach Yahya Atan could not have asked for more from his charges.
Siti Rahmah was the toast of the day when she scored a brace, with the goals coming in each half.
“I am proud of my girls as they gave a sterling display in all the matches, and were only beaten by China (4-0). We drew with India 1-1, and this augurs well for the development of women’s hockey in the country,” said Yahya Atan.
China and India went on to play in the final, which earned them a direct entry into the World Cup.
“Overall, we fielded some young players and they held on well against more experienced sides. I believe more can be achieved with this set of player’s,” said Yahya.
RESULTS: Fifth-Sixth: Malaysia 2 Kazakhstan 1; Seventh- Eighth: Hong Kong 2 Singapore 0; 10th-11th: Thailand 3 Sri Lanka 1.

Pakistan lose, but in final

Pakistan lost their last pool match 3-2 to Poland, but their four wins took them into the final of the World Cup Qualifier in Lille, France. Who will play them for the gold medal? Poland, Japan and France are in the running now.

P	W	D	L	GF	GA	PTS
Pakistan	5	4	0	1	22	6	12
Poland	5	3	1	1	13	9	10
Japan	4	3	0	1	11	8	9
France	4	2	1	1	11	9	7
Russia	4	0	0	4	4	15	0
Italy	4	0	0	4	1	15	0

Malaysia squander 2-goal lead

MALAYSIA squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Austria in the first day of the World Cup Qualifiers in Invercargill, New Zealand.
It was a dream start, but lasted only eight minutes, and Tai Beng Hai’s men now have an uphill task in the Qualifiers after allowing 20th ranked Austria to make a late come-back.
Amin Rahim scored off a penalty corner in the sixth minute, and Azlan Misron made it 2-0 two minutes later and it looked like the Austrians were heading for a hiding.
But the goals dried up, and in the second half, Manuel Grandits scored a field goal, and three minutes from time, Michael Korper made it count off a penalty corner.
China also had a shaky start to the tournament as they were down 0-1 top Scotland, but a strong second half rally saved the day.
Scotland scored in the fourth minute off Stephen Dick and the Chinese had to wait until the 45th minute before Lu Yixian found the equaliser. Na Yubo delivered the three points in the 60th minute, and China live to fight on.
Hosts New Zealand has a super outing when they hammered Wales 6-2 with goals from Nicholas Wilson (17th, 60th), Andrew Hayward (33rd, 35th, 65th), Phillip Burrows (63rd).
The Welsh brace was scored by Richard Gay in the 37th and 49th minutes.
Malaysia play Wales

RESULTS: China 2 Scotland 1, New zealand 6 Wales 2, Malaysia 2 Austria 2.
TODAY: Scotland v New Zealand, Wales v Malaysia, Austria v China.


STANDINGS

P W D L F A PTS
New Zealand 1 1 0 0 6 2 3
China 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
Malaysia 1 0 1 0 2 2 1
Austria 1 0 1 0 2 2 1
Scotland 1 0 0 1 1 2 0
Wales 1 0 0 1 2 6 0

Malaysia can only bank on pedigree

MALAYSIA have a poor record in qualifiers, and the script is highly unlikely to change when they start their campaign against Austria in the World Cup Qualifier in Invercargill, New Zealand, today.

The world ranking also tells a story of its own, as 16th ranked Malaysia will be up against New Zealand (8), China (13), Austria (20), Scotland (24) and Wales (29) for the single ticket to the World Cup next year.
The only hope is pedigree, as among the six hopefuls, only Malaysia and New Zealand have played in World Cups while the rest will be looking to break the duck.
Malaysia have played in five World Cups, and the best finish was fourth in 1975. The Kiwis have played seven times, and their best finish was seventh in 1982, 1975, 1973 and 1971.
Coach Tai Beng Hai has taken a gamble, discarding several tried-and-tested players for three Junior World Cup rookies.
And the best bet among the three is 18-year-old Faizal Shaari, who scored eight goals in the Junior World Cup.

Faizal Shaari is touted as the most talented among three Junior World Cup players who have been picked for the squad.

"Faizal has talent and showed progress in the Champions Challenge II and the Australia and New Zealand friendlies. And I believe, for his age, he is matured enough not to freeze in the Qualifier," said Beng Hai.
Malaysia's defence is porous as Madzli Ikmar, Amin Rahim, C. Baljit Singh and Ahmad Kazamirul did not display proper understanding in the Five-Test series against Australia.
But Beng Hai also tested Jiwa Mohan in defence, and it did stabilise matters, and the experienced player could make a big difference if he is given more time at the back
Between the posts, Beng Hai can rely on S. Kumar, who is among the best goalkeepers in the world.
But there is not a single player who can marshal the midfield with confidence, and this is where Malaysia are going to face a tough time taking the ball out of defence, and delivering it to the strikers.
"The first target is to qualify for the final, and I am confident my men are game for it. After that, only 70 minutes separate us from the World Cup, and I am sure the team will give their best," said Beng Hai.
TODAY -- China v Scotland, New Zealand v Wales, Malaysia v Austria.