Malaysia need goals against Oman

By Ajitpal Singh

THEY were five minutes away from a famous victory but hats off for the national hockey team, who fought bravely to earn a 2-2 draw with defending champions South Korea in a Group A match at the Aoti Hockey Stadium in Guangzhou.
In the first half, both teams played cautiously in the opening minutes and against the run of play, Korea took the lead in the ninth minute through Hyun Hye Sung.
He put the ball past Malaysia goalkeeper S. Kumar, after poor defending from Baljit Singh Charun, who failed to clear a free hit from Jang Jong Hyun.
Not be deterred, the young Malaysian team continued with the relentless pursuit to find the equaliser and in the 24th minute, they were rewarded through Azlan Misron, who latched onto a through pass from Marhan Jalil, before slotting the ball past Korea goalkeeper Lee Myung Ho.
Korea, also the Asian Cup champions, started on a fiery note in the second half and earned a penalty corner but luckily Jong Hyun’s powerful drag flick was deflected off Baljit’s stick.
Minutes later, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Jalil left several Korean defenders trailing behind him in the semi-circle before making a beautiful pass to an unmarked Azlan, but his weak shot was padded away by Korea keeper Myung Ho.
Playing a rather tactical game, Malaysia kept the dangerous Koreans at bay while looking for goals from quick counter attacks.
Malaysia silenced a small group of Korean fans in the stadium, when they took a lead with a goal from a perfect piece of smooth flowing hockey in the 48th minute.
Tengku Tajuddin, being a constant trouble-maker in the Korean half with his fast pace and skillful game, found himself space in the semi-circle, before passing to Azlan, whose rising shot beat the out-rushing Korea keeper Myung Ho, before Hafifihafiz Hanafi deflected the ball into the empty goalmouth.
It was Kumar‘s show after that goal, as the Koreans pressed hard for the equaliser but the Malaysian keeper was up to it on several occasions.
Korea almost earned their equaliser after 58 minutes but captain Lee Nam Yong’s deflection, in front an empty goal, hit the post.
But five minutes from time, Korea’s Seo Jong Ho, upon receiving a pass from Nam Yong, slotted the ball past Kumar.
Not satisfied with the equaliser, Korea launched several dangerous moves and almost found their winner two minutes later.
However, Malaysia keeper Kumar made a brilliant double save, first from Jong Ho and then from Nam Yong. And it left him injured but he continued playing.
Two minutes from time, Korea earned a questionable penalty corner but jong Hyun drag flick sailed above the crossbar.
National coach Stephen van Huizen said his boys fought bravely against a fast-paced Korean team.
“We should have collected three points as we were five minutes away from victory. A win would have put us in a good position to qualify for the semi-finals,” said van Huizen at the Aoti Hockey Stadium yesterday.
“But a draw is also a good result. We could have also lost the match as the Koreans were pushing hard for a winner after their equaliser. Kumar played a good game to deny them in the final minutes of the match.
Van Huizen, however, reminded his players to stay focus on remaining matches, especially against Oman today.
“We need to stay focus for Oman as we need a good victory as it will give us the extra confidence before the match against China (Sunday),” he added.