Monday, May 9, 2011

India 5 Malaysia 2

MALAYSIA'S campaign in the Azlan Shah Cup came to a stuttering halt when they were outclassed 5-2 by India in Ipoh last night.
And the fault was a first half pathetic display, which left the national side a mountain to climb after the breather.
Malaysia played in patches and allowed India to score at will in the first half, and looked like they were in for a hiding from the start itself.
It was only eight minutes into the match when Roshan Minz sounded the board from close range, after defender Baljit Singh mis-trapped the ball.
It was the signal that India needed to push forward, and in the 18th minute it was 2-0 when Mandeep Antil caught the entire defense napping.
And the third India goal was a classic flick to the roof of the goalmouth by Rupinder Singh in the 21st minute. It was the fifth goal of the tournamen for the penalty corner replacement for regular Sandeep Singh.
Malaysia injected some hope into their game when Azammi Adabi pulled one back in the 34th minute, only to be back in the rut when Sunil Sowmarpet scored India's fourth with seven seconds remaining to the half-time hooter.
With a heavy burden on their shoulders, Malaysia came out of the dressing room charging like a bull in a China shop, and Shahrun Nabil beat three defenders before pushing in the ball in the 43rd minute for Malaysia's second goal.
But with 12 minutes remaining, penalty corner flicker Radzi Rahim was flashed the yellow card, and Malaysia's chances of a comeback were further diluted.
Gurwinder Singh scored the fifth goal in the 69th minute, and Malaysia's humiliation was comlete.
"We paid the price of giving India too much space in the first 20 minutes of the match, after which it became difficult to chase them.
"Defender Madzli's (Ikmar) absence was sorely felt at the backline (he fractured his cheekbone in the match against Australia) as I juggled players.
"We are here to learn, and build a side for the Olympics Qualifier, and we will learn from this defeat," said Malaysia coach tai Beng Hai.