NATIONAL chief cach Tai Beng Hai expected a tough match against Britain, and was actually pleased that his charges managed to keep the score low.
"Britain is a well prepared side, and I expected the match to be a difficult one, and that is why I am not too dissapointed with the score.
"In fact, we are only guilty of not converting our chances, other than that, I am happy with the team's attitude," said Beng Hai.
He has already started planning for another tough match against Australia today.
"We will have to change some tactics, as Australia are very strong and I expect them to come to us in numbers," said Benh Hai.
Britain coach Jason Lee was pleased with the win, and said Malaysia are always tough to beat.
"I was a little worried, what with the weather and a Malaysian side which always plays well against us.
"Now that we have gotten over the first match jitters, I expect my players to keep on improving," said Jason.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Malaysia 1 Britain 3
SIZE does matter, and Malaysia found out the hard way when they struggled to stay on their feet when push-came-to-shove and lost 3-1 to Britain in the 20th Edition of the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh last night.
Watched by a supportive crowd of 5,000 fans, Malaysia got their basics right and held a tight reign on the world no 4 and Olympic hosts, but a silly mistake in the 17th minute gave away a penalty corner.
James Tindall converted, but Malaysia kept on pushing with Hafifihafiz Hanafi and Faizal Saari making inroads, but failed to click in the semi-circle.
And just as the clock showed 35 seconds remaining in the first half, Richard Smith connected a cross which beat goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin for their second goal.
Yesterday, coach Tai Beng Hai rested No 1 goalkeeper S. Kumar and Kelvinder Singh, and skipper Madzli Ikmar, Baljit Singh and Radzi Rahim took care of the back-line.
The national side showed many shades of improvement from their Asian Games style, and their confidence was boosted when Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin scored a stunner in the 41st minute.
Tengku collected the ball on the blind side, and his reverse stick grounder went between the legs of goalkeeper James Fair and Malaysia were back in the matc h.
However, in the 51st minute Robert Moore was gifted an open goal as he was left unmarked todeflect in the third goal past Roslan.
Malaysia lost the opening match, and will face another torrid time against world no 1 Australia today.
Watched by a supportive crowd of 5,000 fans, Malaysia got their basics right and held a tight reign on the world no 4 and Olympic hosts, but a silly mistake in the 17th minute gave away a penalty corner.
James Tindall converted, but Malaysia kept on pushing with Hafifihafiz Hanafi and Faizal Saari making inroads, but failed to click in the semi-circle.
And just as the clock showed 35 seconds remaining in the first half, Richard Smith connected a cross which beat goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin for their second goal.
Yesterday, coach Tai Beng Hai rested No 1 goalkeeper S. Kumar and Kelvinder Singh, and skipper Madzli Ikmar, Baljit Singh and Radzi Rahim took care of the back-line.
The national side showed many shades of improvement from their Asian Games style, and their confidence was boosted when Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin scored a stunner in the 41st minute.
Tengku collected the ball on the blind side, and his reverse stick grounder went between the legs of goalkeeper James Fair and Malaysia were back in the matc h.
However, in the 51st minute Robert Moore was gifted an open goal as he was left unmarked todeflect in the third goal past Roslan.
Malaysia lost the opening match, and will face another torrid time against world no 1 Australia today.
India blow 2-0 lead
INDIA blew a two-goal lead to lose tamely 3-2 to South Korea in a match that saw two contrasting halves.
In their last meeting, India won the Asian Games bronze medal on a slim 1-0 score when Tushar Khandekar scored, but he is missing from the Azlan Shah Cup line-up.
Korean coach Shin Seok Kyo was hoarse from shouting to his players, and admitted that his charges were lost in the first half.
"I almost lost my voice shouting instructions because we only have 10 players from the Asian Games squad, while eight others are new.
"Also, I only had one week to prepare the team as all the players were with their clubs playing in our league. We lost to India the last time, and many players retired. Now I am rebuilding a team for the Olympics Qualifiers," said Shin.
From the seven teams in Ipoh, Australia, New Zealand, Britain and Pakistan have qualified for the Olympics. India, Malaysia and Korea are building sides for the Qualifiers.
"This is a very important tournamen for Korea, as four Olympic teams are playing and my young side needs the exposure," said Shin.
And his take on the Pakistan side: "I personally feel this team is better than the Asian Games side. They move very swiftly, and chance their attacking format on the run.
"On a lighter side, I would like to see my players in the final, where I expect Pakistan to be waiting for us."
India took the lead off Diwakar Ram (20th) and Danish Mujtaba (27th) but collapsed big time after that.
The Korean scorers were Cho Suk Hun (31st), Yoon Sung Hoon (41st) and Jang Jong Hyun (56th).
In their last meeting, India won the Asian Games bronze medal on a slim 1-0 score when Tushar Khandekar scored, but he is missing from the Azlan Shah Cup line-up.
Korean coach Shin Seok Kyo was hoarse from shouting to his players, and admitted that his charges were lost in the first half.
"I almost lost my voice shouting instructions because we only have 10 players from the Asian Games squad, while eight others are new.
"Also, I only had one week to prepare the team as all the players were with their clubs playing in our league. We lost to India the last time, and many players retired. Now I am rebuilding a team for the Olympics Qualifiers," said Shin.
From the seven teams in Ipoh, Australia, New Zealand, Britain and Pakistan have qualified for the Olympics. India, Malaysia and Korea are building sides for the Qualifiers.
"This is a very important tournamen for Korea, as four Olympic teams are playing and my young side needs the exposure," said Shin.
And his take on the Pakistan side: "I personally feel this team is better than the Asian Games side. They move very swiftly, and chance their attacking format on the run.
"On a lighter side, I would like to see my players in the final, where I expect Pakistan to be waiting for us."
India took the lead off Diwakar Ram (20th) and Danish Mujtaba (27th) but collapsed big time after that.
The Korean scorers were Cho Suk Hun (31st), Yoon Sung Hoon (41st) and Jang Jong Hyun (56th).
Pakistan 4 New Zealand 2
PAKISTAN got off to a rousing start by beating New Zealand 4-2, but their team manager Khawaja Junaid was far from satisfied with their penalty corner conversions.
The Asian Games gold medallists won five penalty corners, but only converted one and that too off a rebound by Kashif Shah in the 24th minute.
"I am happy with the way my juniors clicked with the seniors, but there is cause for worry because we won five penalty coreners but could only convert one.
"Pakistan have always been strong in the penalty corner department, and it looks like we will have to work on it further to collect points in the remaining matches," said Khawaja.
Sohail Abbas, who scored one goal when Pakistan defeated Malaysia in the Asian Games final, could not find his touch against the Kiwis.
Sohail holds the world record of 313 goals in 259 matches, and could provide the spark that Pakistan needs to lift the Azlan Shah Cup in 2004.
Pakistan also did the unthinkable, as they broke the Kiwi four-match winning streak against them in the fifth match yesterday.
The other Pakistan goals were scored by Muhammad Rizwan (third), Haseem Khan (51st), Umar Bhutta (61st).
The New Zealand goals were scored by Andrew Hayward (59th) and Hugo Inglis (63rd).
The Asian Games gold medallists won five penalty corners, but only converted one and that too off a rebound by Kashif Shah in the 24th minute.
"I am happy with the way my juniors clicked with the seniors, but there is cause for worry because we won five penalty coreners but could only convert one.
"Pakistan have always been strong in the penalty corner department, and it looks like we will have to work on it further to collect points in the remaining matches," said Khawaja.
Sohail Abbas, who scored one goal when Pakistan defeated Malaysia in the Asian Games final, could not find his touch against the Kiwis.
Sohail holds the world record of 313 goals in 259 matches, and could provide the spark that Pakistan needs to lift the Azlan Shah Cup in 2004.
Pakistan also did the unthinkable, as they broke the Kiwi four-match winning streak against them in the fifth match yesterday.
The other Pakistan goals were scored by Muhammad Rizwan (third), Haseem Khan (51st), Umar Bhutta (61st).
The New Zealand goals were scored by Andrew Hayward (59th) and Hugo Inglis (63rd).
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