Amin Rahim's super show

By Ajitpal Singh

MALAYSIA were three minutes away from defeat but Amin Rahim’s penalty corner strike levelled proceedings before he scored again with his trademark drag flick in sudden-death extra time to clinch a 4-3 win over India to qualify for their first ever Asian Games final at the Aoti Stadium yesterday.
And awaiting them in the gold medal match tomorrow is Pakistan, who upset favourites South Korea 4-3 on penalty strokes after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time.
For the record, Malaysia have never reached the final of the Asian Games since making their first appearance in 1958 but finished third on seven occasions.
It is expected to be an explosive final as the winner will gain direct entry into the 2012 London Olympics.
Prior to the Asian Games, critics were unkind to national coach Stephen van Huizen and his players after doing badly in last month’s New Delhi Commonwealth. But now they have silenced their critics with an exceptional performance in Guangzhou.
“I am delighted for being a hero for my team. I was under pressure after making a mistake, which resulted in India scoring at the start of the second half but I am really glad for making up for my blunder with two goals,” said Amin at the Aoti Stadium yesterday.
Malaysia captain Madzli Ikmar Mohd Nor said everyone in the team played their roles well to earn victory yesterday.
“We were patience and played a tactical game to win. It was a tough match as India were also looking at qualifying for the Olympics through the Asian Games.
“I can’t describe my happiness right now as being in the final is like a dream for us. It all boiled down to hard work and determination today (yesterday),” said Madzli Ikmar, who has been Malaysian captain since last year.
Malaysia were 3-2 down when Amin sounded the board with a low drag flick three minutes before the full time whistle.
And five minutes into extra time, Amin turned hero with his trademark flick, off a penalty corner, which sailed past India’s goalkeeper Bharat Kumar Chetri’s left before sounding the board.
Malaysia drew first blood in the match through Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Jalil’s solo effort after 32 minutes but India’s Sandeep Singh levelled proceedings off a penalty corner set-piece three minutes later.
Tushar Khandker took advantage of a defensive mix-up from Amin to put India in the lead off a field attempt in the 37th minute.
However, the young Malaysian team pressed hard upfront and their persistence paid off through Azlan Misron, off a penalty corner set-piece, after 49 minutes.
Azlan pushed the ball into an empty India goalmouth, after Amin had dummied India’s penalty corner defensive line up by passing to the goal scorer instead of making a direct attempt.
But five minutes later, captain Rajpal Singh put India in the lead after Malaysia goalkeeper S. Kumar failed to clear the ball cleanly off a penalty corner attempt from Dhananjay Mahadik.
The match was heading to India’s way before Malaysia earned a penalty corner three minutes from time, in which 30-year-old Amin scored from it.
But suspense crept into the match after India was awarded a penalty corner two minutes from time. Dhananjay lined-up for it and his attempt forced a melee before an India stick managed to squeeze the ball past keeper Kumar but a defender managed to clear it away in the nick of time.
And Amin’s golden goal, in sudden death extra time, sealed victory for Malaysia.