Monday, September 27, 2010

Malaysia crumble after taking 2-0 lead

MALAYSIA 2 NEW ZEALAND 2

MALAYSIA took a 2-0 lead, but crumbled in the last 10 minutes of the
match to share the spoils against New Zealand at the Tun Razak Stadium
yesterday.
Both the teams are preparing for the Commonwealth Games, and will
play a second friendly at the same venue today.
The Malaysian players looked more confident and there was an urgency
for 60 minutes, buit their end game left much to be desired.
The defenders, marshalled with confidence by goalkeeper Roslan
Jamaluddin, brough off some spectatcular saves to keep the slate clean
into the breather.
In attack, Malaysia won one penalty corner in the first half, but a mis-
push saw the opportunity go to waste.
There were also more shots at goal from the Malaysian side as
compared to thew Kiwis, who relied more on counter-attacks and soaked
in the pressure and also the heavy drizzle.
Malaysia started the second half by a full press and were awarded with
two penalty corners, back-to-back.
The first hit a Kiwi leg, but the second in the 38th minute, saw a powerful
low push from Amin Rahim crashing into the board for the lead.
The pace quickened after that, but Malaysia wasted many chances until
their fourth penalty corner in the 40th minute, which was tucked in by
Razie Rahim to make it 2-0.
After taking the lead, Malaysia started to play in patches and paid the
price in the 64th minute when Hugo Inglis' reverse stick sailed past
goalkeeper Roslan.
And in the 66th minute, Nick Wilson tucked in the equaliser after
Malaysia started to give away too much possession, and the score stood
until the final whistle.