WHILE Malaysia's chances of playing in the final of the 19th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hangs from a thin thread, 23-year-old defender Razie Rahim is set to score the biggest goal in his life.As Malaysian team will watch from the sidelines. hoping that India, Australia, Pakistan or South Korea fumble and create one opening that will lead them into the final, Razie will be in Padang Serai, Kedah, getting married to Nadia Mokhtar.
Nadia, 22, is also a national hockey player who just missed the cut to the World Cup Qualifiers in Chile due to injury.
Both the players fell head-over-heels in 2003 during the Southern Skies tournament in Australia, where Razie was representing Bandar Penawar Sports School while Nadia was playing for Bukit Jalil Sports School.
Razie was given a grand send off by his team-mates after beating China 2-1 on Thursday, when his parents, Abdul Rahim Harun and Salbiah Abdullah came to pick him up from the Azlan Shah Stadium.
But it is hockey right after tying the knot, as Razie will be back to play on Sunday, irrespective of Malaysia making the final or not.
“It is a big day for me and I hope to have the best wedding present if results go our way and we make the final,” said Razie.
“I will continue playing for the nation as long as my services are needed and I believe Nadia too will play her role in the women’s team.”
Razie will have to apply some special make up though, as he suffered a cut just below his jaw in the match against India on Wednesday, when the defender scored a field goal in the 5-2 rout.
Malaysian coach Stephen van Huizen will wait anxiously, as all three matches today could either see his charges play in the final, or placing match.
Australia play China first, and if the Australians score less than four goals, one contender will be knocked out.
The there is the South Korea-Pakistan match. Pakistan need to win by two goals, while South Korea by one goal to pip Malaysia.
And if both the matches fail to open the door for Malaysia, there is the India-Egypt match where India need just a win to play in the final.
Five teams will be battling for two spots in the final today, with Malaysia the only one hoping on a hand-out, which came about after they let in a goal 17 seconds from time in the 3-3 draw against Pakistan.
