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Soccer fans lighting up flares at the national hockey stadium after disrupting the Malaysia-China match. They came to watch hockey, which started at 6pm, while waiting for the Johor-Pahang FA Cup semifinals at the adjacent pitch...
MALAYSIA hammered China's Liaoning Club 5-0 in their final friendly at the National Hockey Stadium yesterday, but the win was marred by unruly soccer fans who disrupted the match after an argument with the umpire.
Malaysia were comfortably leading 5-0 with nine minutes to go, when China's Korean coach Kim Young Soo, who doubled up as an umpire, was verbally abused by soccer fans who were at the hockey stadium waiting for the Johor-Pahang FA Cup semi-finals to start at the adjacent soccer pitch.
Kim went to the sidelines to confront the soccer supporter, who had uttered racist and derogatory words, and there was almost a fist-fight but stopped by Malaysian players as well as assistant national coach Arul Selvaraj.
The China coach then pulled back his charges and had to be convinced that the situation was under control before he asked his charges to resume playing.
"I was at the sidelines umpiring when one of the fans uttered racist words towards my players and pointed the index finger.
"I confronted him, as it was uncalled for in a friendly," said Kim.
The Ultras Malaya supporters had entered the hockey stadium and with drums, cheered the Malaysian team, but after the incident, they brought out several flares and lighted them.
In the four-match series, Malaysia won 2-1, 4-2, lost 4-3 and finally got their act together yesterday.
The goals were scored by Chua Boon Huat, Izwan Firdaus, Faizal Saari, Razie Rahim and Firhan Ashaari.
"The four matches were fantastic, as even though we played against a club side form China, but they had 10 national players and their fitness was at its best.
"We learned much from these matches, and tomorrow (today) will head for South Africa for another four matches against the National side," said coach Paul Revington.
Malaysia are preparing for the World League Semi-finals which will be held in Johor Baru from June 29 and offers a chance to qualify for the World Cup next year.
MALAYSIA lost to China's Liaoning Club 4-3 in a rain interrupted match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
It was the first defeat for coach Paul Revington's charges as they had beaten the China Club, which has 10 national players, 2-1 and 4-2 in the earlier matches.
The fourth and final match will be held today at 6pm at the same venue.
Malaysia are preparing for the World League Semi-finals which Johor Baru will host from June 29-July 7, which is also a World Cup Qualifier.
Malaysia will open their World League accounts against Pakistan on June 29 in Johor Baru, while the other teams in Group B are England and South Africa.
In Group A are world no 1 Germany, South Korea, Argentina and a yet to be named team, which will be confirmed after the end of the Round 2 which ongoing in Russia now.
Yesterday, Faizal Saari scored off a penalty stroke in the 10th minute, Amin Rahim off a penalty corner direct attempt in the 15th minute while the other goal by Kazamirul Ahmad in the 30th minute.
China scored off Sun Yi (17th) and Hung We (33rd).
After the breather, China scored two more quick goals off a field attempt by Sun Long (39th) and a Sun Yi penalty corner (45th) to seal the match.
After the China friendlies, the national team will leave to South Africa on Sunday to play a Four-Test series against the South African side.
MALAYSIAN Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah will be the guest of honour at the Opening ceremony of the 62nd Gurdwara Cup at Kelab Aman on June 6.
Tengku Abdullah will also officially declare open a mini artificial hockey pitch in Kelab Aman which was laid to boost junior development.
The Gurdwara Cup, incepted in 1952, is the oldest hockey tournament in the country and has been held without a break since it was first played in Ipoh.
This year the tournament will be held from June 5-8, and the other sports that will be held in the Sikh Carnival of Sports are soccer (seniors and juniors), netball, badminton and six categories of golf.
"Normally our affiliates (states) are the ones who host the Gurdwara Cup but the Malaysia-Singapore Sikh Sports Council (MSSSC) decided to host the 62nd edition in Kuala Lumpur," said MSSSC president Datuk Sohan Singh Randhawa.
The event has pushed to the fore many former Sikh national skippers like Sarjit Singh and Mohinder Singh, as well as former national players like Updesh Singh. Savinder Singh, Avatar Singh, Maninderjit Singh as well as current national player Baljit Singh.
"The Sikhs used to be well represented in hockey a decade ago, but now only Baljit remains with the seniors.
"There are no Sikh players in the Junior World Cup training team right now, but coaches especially in Klang, Kampung Pandan and Kelab Aman as well as many other states are slowly building junior sides to fill this void," said Sohan.
There will be an under-13 hockey tournament which will showcase some exciting future talent, as well as budding stars in soccer and badminton in the Sikh Carnival of Sports.
