Malaysia in Asean schools final

STANDINGS

P W D L F A Pts
MALAYSIA 3 3 0 0 17 0 9
SINGAPORE 3 2 0 1 12 9 6
INDONESIA 2 1 0 1 3 5 3
THAILAND 2 0 0 2 2 9 0
BRUNEI 2 0 0 2 0 11 0

RESULTS: Singapore 4 Thailand 2, Brunei 0 Indonesia 3, Malaysia 7 Singapore 0.
TODAY: Thailand v Brunei (3pm), Indonesia v Singapore (5pm). All matches at the Tun Razak Stadium.

MALAYSIA qualified for the final of the Second Asean Schools hockey tournament with one match in hand when they beat Singapore 7-0 at the Tun Razak Stadium yesterday.
And going by the form-book, both the teams are expected to square off again in the final on Sunday.
However, the comfortable win for Malaysia cannot be taken into account for a confirmed gold, because Singapore looked lethergic after having beaten Thailand 4-2 in a morning match, while Malaysia only played one match yesterday.
The tournament fixtures also saw Malaysia playing two matches on Wednesday against Indonesia and Thailand, where Malaysia won with identical 5-0 scores.
The Malaysian team, made up of Bukit Jalil and Bandar Penawar Sports School players, however, muffed a handful of chances which could have seen then thrash Singapore comprehensively.
Kevin Kartrik, the skipper from Tampin, Negri Sembilan, started the goal count in the sixth minute with a low penalty corner push.
The other goals were scored by Shahril Sa'abah (23rd, 50th, 62nd), Faridzul Afiq (28th) Arif Rahman (45th) and Dangerous Lee (66th).
"I believe Singapore were tired after playing Thailand in the morning and that is why we managed to score so many goals against them. However, we also played two matches in a day on Wednesday, but my players fitness took them through," said Malaysia coach S. Prakash.
Prakash believes if his charges meet Singapore again in the final, Malaysia should end up at the top of the podium.
"So far, from my observation, Malaysia is the best team in the tournament, and should deliver gold. But I need to bring the boys back to earth, so that they do not get carried away with today (yesterday's win)," said Prakash.
Malaysia play Brunei on Saturday while Singapore's last pool match is against Indonesia today.