Malaysia deny India bronze play-off..

THERE was hardly any standing room at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh yesterday when Malaysia entered the pitch to play against India.
  More than 15,000 supporters, with many more unable to enter, came to watch Malaysia play against India even though the hosts were already in the final courtsey of an Australian 3-2 win over New Zealand in the earlier match.
  However, Malaysia did not disappoint their fans, as they went for the jugular from the first whistle, and then played all out for 70 minutes to hold India to a 2-2 draw to ende the tournament without a defeat.
  And Faizal Saari scored his fourth goal of the tournament in the sixth minute off Malaysia's first penalty corner to send the crowd into wild celebrations.
  However, there was a tinge of sadness in the celebrations, as the patron of the tournament Sultan Azlan Shah did not get a chance to watch any of Malaysia's matches as he is not feeling well.
  The patron will also not be there to watch Malaysia play Australia in the final today, and Raja Nazrin Shah will hand out the Cup to the champions.
  India scored the equaliser when Mandeep finally got it right in the 20th minute when he connected a cross which went sailing just over Kumar's helmet into the back of the net.
  And off only their second penalty corner, India took the lead off Rupinder Pal Singh in the 48th minute.
  With one minute remaining on the clock, Malaysia won a penalty corner and Faizal's drag hit an India defender's shoulder and the umpire blew for a stroke. India protested and almost wakled out but coach Michael Nobbs convinces them to play on.
  Faizal steps to the spot, and flicks in the equaliser which relegated India to playing Pakistan in the fifth-sixth playoff.
 
   

  TODAY: Final -- Malaysia v Australia (8.30pm); Third-Fourth: New Zealand v South Korea (6pm); Fifth-Sixth: India v Pakistan (3.30pm).

FINAL STANDINGS

               P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts

AUSTRALIA      5  3  2  0  17 9  11
MALAYSIA       5  2  3  0  10 8  9
N ZEALAND      5  2  0  3  11 9  6
KOREA          5  1  2  2  9  12 5
PAKISTAN       5  1  2  2  9  16 5
INDIA          5  1  1  3  9  11 4


  RESULTS: Korea 2 Pakistan 2, Australia 3 New Zealand 2, Malaysia 2 India 2.
  Note: All matches at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh.