Malaysia go on five-goal rampage

MALAYSIA played at a fast-foward pace for 70 minutes to hammer India 5-2 in the 19th Azlan Shah Cup infront of a capacity crowd in Ipoh last night.
The win boosted Malaysia's chance of a good finish, as they end their pool fixtures against China today.
Before the match started, Pakistan had already done Malaysia a favour by holding Australia to a 5-5 draw.
Australia were leading 4-1 by the 40th minute, but a determined push drew them level, and the Green Shirts could have even won the match, if not for two attempts that hit the post, and a near miss in the last three seconds of the match.
Australia ended up with seven points, and will play another tough match against South Korea, who also have seven points, today to determine their fortunes in this tournament.
Malaysia started on a confident note, and kept the ball for long periods, and waited paitently before mounting counter-attacks. And in the fourth minute, Tajol Rosli won a penalty corner after a solo run.
However, Razie Rahim's attempt was palmed away with ease by India goalkeeper Bharat Chetri.
Malaysia received an early blow when stout defender Razie went off in the 15th minute for a cut on his face.
And right after he went out for treatment, Malaysia were awarded their second penalty corner but Faizal Saari's attempt was also stopped by Bharat.
Malaysia received another chance to take the lead when Amit Prabhakar deliberately brought down Faizal Saari in the 27th minute.
This time, Amin Rahim was given the chance, and his powerfull knee-high drag-flick grazed the pads of Bharat and went crashing into the board for the much sought-after lead, which held into the breather.
India tried to get back into the match and were awarded their third penalty corner, but goalkeeper S. Kumar brought off a great save, and Malaysia immediately mounted a sizzler of a counter, and Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin dribbled two defenders, and from an acute angle slammed in a reverse stick shot which went crashing into the net in the 39th minute.
The crowd went wild, and so did the Malaysian players who broke into the India semi-circle right after the re-start, and this time defender Razie Rahim slammed in the third goal, also off a reverse stick attempt, in the 41st minute.
But India refused to be broken and in the 44th minute, Danish Mujtaba pulled one back off a penalty corner attempt.
The night seemed to belong to Malaysia, who won their fifth penalty corner in the 47th minute, and Amin Rahim scored his brace and Malaysia's fourth goal with ease.
There were only 15 minutes remaining for Malaysia to pull off a great victory, and instead of defending, they went on the attack and in the 60th minute, a one-two between Azlan Misron and Azreen Rizal saw the latter slam in the fifth goal from close range and India were truly beaten.
Ravi Pal scored India's second in the 68th minute, but it was too late to salvage the match.