Malaysia blow up in 3-3 draw

MALAYSIA blew their chances of a super start when they were held 3-3 by Pakistan in the 19th Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh yesterday.
Malaysia went into the dressing room locked 1-1 with Pakistan, but a half-time performance from Queen of Rock Ella woke them up and they took a 3-1 lead, but collapsed in the final minutes of the match, letting in the third goal just 20 seconds from regulation time.
Malaysia failed to settle down in the first five minutes of the match and paid dearly after a poor shot was converted into goal.
It was only the fourth minute, and Malaysian players were hopping around as if the artificial pitch was a hot-plate. Pakistan broke into the semi-circle and a weak shot from Shahzad Amir was tamely crossing the Malaysian galmouth but just as it was heading out, Rasool Shafqat tucked the ball in.
The national players, to their credit, threw caution to the wind and started making a concerted effort to break even.
They earned the first penalty corner in the eight minute, but Pakistan runners were too fast and picked the ball with ease, and it was the same script a minute later in their second penalty corner, as the runners stopped Amin Rahim dead.
But Malaysia, wiser after two attempts, made good use of the third penalty corner. This time a set-piece, instead of a direct flick was used. Amin pushed to Hafifihafiz Hanafi and he connected for the equaliser which held until the breather.
And after a tantalising performance from Ella for 10 minutes during the break, Malaysia mounted some serious attacks and in the 50th minute, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin won the fourth penalty corner.
This time, Amin flicked low to beat goalkeeper Imran Butt for the lead.
And the fans were rewarded with a another pulsating attack in the 51st minute, which led to Hafifihafiz scoring his brace and Malaysia's third goal.
However, Pakistan pulled one back in the 56th minute, when a misunderstanding during a penalty corner saw Muhammad Irfan tucking in the ball.
And with 20 seconds left, Muhammad Zubair scored the equaliser and Malaysia had only one point to show after all the hard work.
Pakistan coach K.M. Junaid said: "It was a great comeback for my team, as when we were 3-1 down, it looked like a lost cause. But my young players, 12 of whom played in the Junior World Cup, showed that they have a promising future."
Malaysian coach Stephen van Huizen was naturally disappointed with the outcome.
"It was not a good start for us as we let in a soft goal, then took a 3-1 lead but were not smart enough to hold the ball and keep possession, which cost us two points."