MALAYSIA hit a bad patch when they collapsed 2-1 to World No 4 England in the World League Semi-finals at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru yesterday.
And to add more woes their misery, Pakistan beat South Africa 6-2 to top Group B, and Malaysia will now play World No 1 Germany in the Quarter-finals on Thursday.
The danger of losing the script in the knock-out stages looms larger than ever.
Malaysia went down for the first time in the tournament, but rose to the occasion to draw level with England before the half-time hooter, but erratic hockey in the second half saw them end up in defeat.
England were a better side for the first 20 minutes, as Malaysia soaked in the attacks and defended stoutly.
It was a different game from Paul Revington's men, as they were on the attack more from the start against Pakistan and South Africa.
England won their first penalty corner in the 20th minute, and Richard Smith nailed the rebound for the lead.
Malaysia started playing much better after that, but two major blunders from the umpires saw them losing one penalty corner, and the other one gave England a bonus penalty corner.
However, after a series of attacks, Malaysia won their first penalty corner in the 28th minute, and even though Razie Rahim's attempt was stopped by goalkeeper George Pinner, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin slammed in the rebound for the equaliser.
After the re-start, Faizal Saari gave Malaysia their second penalty corner in the 50th minute, but he then pushed it wide.
Malaysia were playing in patches in the second half, and were lucky not to have been punished by the English for their blunders.
However, they were finally punishes in the 58th minute when Barry Middleton gave England the lead again off a field attempt.
Malaysia then pushed forward in numbers for the equaliser which never came as he clock died on them.
"We did not play well, as there were only patches of brilliance but still, it was not too bad a show and now we will have to bring back the level of our game in the quarter-finals," said Revington.
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
ARGENTINA 3 2 1 0 11 2 7
GERMANY 3 2 1 0 9 2 7
JAPAN 3 0 1 2 5 13 1
S KOREA 3 0 1 2 3 11 1
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
PAKISTAN 3 1 2 0 12 8 5
ENGLAND 3 1 2 0 7 6 5
MALAYSIA 3 1 1 1 11 10 4
S AFRICA 3 0 1 2 9 15 1
RESULTS: Group A: Germany 3 Japan 1, Argentina 3 South Korea 0.
Group B: England 2 Malaysia 1, South Africa 6 Pakistan 2.
TODAY: REST DAY:
TOMORROW: Quarter-finals -- Argentina v South Africa (2.45pm); England v Japan (5pm); Pakistan v South Korea (7.15pm); Germany v Malaysia (9.30pm).
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Malaysia 1 England 2
MALAYSIA hit a bad patch when they collapsed 2-1 to World No 4 England in the World League Semi-finals at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru yesterday.
Argentina 3 South Korea 0
Argentina beat South Korea 3-0 to top Group A. The Koreans end at the bottom.
Argentina: Facundo Callioni (55th), Matias Paredes (57th), Gonzalo Peillat (68th).
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
ARGENTINA 3 2 1 0 11 2 7
GERMANY 3 2 1 0 9 2 7
JAPAN 3 0 1 2 5 13 1
S KOREA 3 0 1 2 3 11 1
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
MALAYSIA 2 1 1 0 10 8 4
PAKISTAN 2 0 2 0 6 6 2
ENGLAND 2 0 2 0 5 5 2
S AFRICA 2 0 1 1 7 9 1
RESULTS: Group A: Germany 3 Japan 1, Argentina 3
South Korea 0.
Group B: England x Malaysia x, South Africa x
Pakistan x.
Argentina: Facundo Callioni (55th), Matias Paredes (57th), Gonzalo Peillat (68th).
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
ARGENTINA 3 2 1 0 11 2 7
GERMANY 3 2 1 0 9 2 7
JAPAN 3 0 1 2 5 13 1
S KOREA 3 0 1 2 3 11 1
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
MALAYSIA 2 1 1 0 10 8 4
PAKISTAN 2 0 2 0 6 6 2
ENGLAND 2 0 2 0 5 5 2
S AFRICA 2 0 1 1 7 9 1
RESULTS: Group A: Germany 3 Japan 1, Argentina 3
South Korea 0.
Group B: England x Malaysia x, South Africa x
Pakistan x.
Germany 3 Japan 1
Germany beat Japan 3-1 in the World League Semifinals in Johor Baru.
Germany: (own Goal by Yamashita Manabu, fifth), Florian Fuchs 42nd, Chistopher Zeller 61st.
Japan: Kayukawa Koji 15th.
German coach Marcus Weise: "The pitch was a little heavy because of a consistent drizzle, but it was still better than playing under the hot sun.
"We have no control of our position in the group now, and frankly, it does not matter which team we play in the quarter-finals because we have no prefference."
The coach was still coming to terms with the format of the tournament where all eight teams advance to the quarter-finals.
"In this tournament even if you finish at the bottom of the pool you still play in the knock-out and even have a chance of becoming the eventual champions.
"So, I don't see any importance in the group stages, and only the quarter-finals is where one needs to play really well."
Germany: (own Goal by Yamashita Manabu, fifth), Florian Fuchs 42nd, Chistopher Zeller 61st.
Japan: Kayukawa Koji 15th.
German coach Marcus Weise: "The pitch was a little heavy because of a consistent drizzle, but it was still better than playing under the hot sun.
"We have no control of our position in the group now, and frankly, it does not matter which team we play in the quarter-finals because we have no prefference."
The coach was still coming to terms with the format of the tournament where all eight teams advance to the quarter-finals.
"In this tournament even if you finish at the bottom of the pool you still play in the knock-out and even have a chance of becoming the eventual champions.
"So, I don't see any importance in the group stages, and only the quarter-finals is where one needs to play really well."
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