Malaysia go down fighting to Australia

MALAYSIA came close to holding Australia, but bowed out 2-1 in the 19th Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh yesterday.
However, the match was not a total lost, as some of the young and inexperienced Malaysians earned their stripes with great determination and fighting spirit against the World No 1.
The Malaysian fans, numbering about 6,000, watched in awe as a transformed Malaysian side took on the Aussies in every department, and controlled the match with deft passes.
However, their hearts sank when Australia won their first penalty corner in the second minute, and Christopher Ciriello made it count with a deft push.
But the Malaysian players pushed even harder and after an impresive run from the midfield, won their first penalty corner in the fourth minute. Amin Rahim pushed low to Azlan Misron on his left, and the Perak-born slapped in the equaliser.
And for the rest of the half, Malaysia had to defend a wave of Aussie attacks, and mounted counter-attacks when presented with a an opportunity.
And with 30 seconds on the firtsh half clock, a super run from Faizal Saari ended with him making a cross which was connected into goal by Hafifihafiz Hanafi and there was a wild celebration from the Malaysian players, but umpire Warren McCully blew otherwise, and poured cold water on the attempt.
Australia took a robust approach in the second half, and Kieren Govers received the green in the 43rd, and sat out for two minutes, and then Brent Dancer was sent off on a yellow card offence in the 48th minute.
However, an opportunist run from Matt Gohdes in the 59th minute, which saw the Malaysian defense flat-footed for the first time in the match, beat goalkeeper S. Kumar and Australia were in the lead again.
To their credit, Malaysia pressed hard for the equaliser again, and with four minutes on the clock, Azlan Misron and Faizal Saari's combination troubled the Aussies but their goalkeeper Meadows saved all their attempts.
Malaysia won a penalty corner with 40 seconds remaining on the clock, but their set-piece went wild, and Australia looked relieved as they left the pitch.
Meanwhile, defending champions India beat a jaded South Korean side 3-2, after the Asian champions could only score two goals off the 11 penalty corners and numerous sitters that came their way.
The India goals were scored by Arjun Halappa (10th), Tushar Khandker (45th) and Shivendra Singh (60th)
Nam Hyun Woo scored both the Korean goals off penalty corner attempts in the 13th and 70th minutes.
In another match, Pakistan hammered China 6-2 with the bulk of the goals coming in a second half blitz.
Pakistan got their goals off Imran Muhammad (17th), Haseem Khan (30th, 42nd), Mohammed Zubair (45th, 47th) and Muhammad Rizwan (61st).
The China goals were scored by Yu Yang (18th) and Sun Long (40th).