MALAYSIA started off promisingly, but Belgium punished the chaotic defense as coach K. Dharmaraj’s men went down 6-2 in the World Cup at the Hague, Netherlands yesterday.
Razie Rahim was on fire but so too was Belgian Tom Boon in the first half contest between world No 13 and No 5, but Boon ended up the classier player with four goals to his name.
Razie scored Malaysia’s first World Cup goal off the first penalty corner in the fifth minute, after a super set-piece pass from Faizal Saari.
But a moment of madness in defense handed Belgium a penalty stroke, and Boon scored the equaliser from the spot in the 14th minute.
Malaysia won their second penalty corner in the 19th minute, and again a powerful drag flick from Razie gave Malaysia the lead.
However, Belgium came out in force after that, and Boon scored off a penalty corner in the 23rd minute, before nailing his hat-trick with a field goal in the 31st minute to give Belgium the lead into the breather.
The other Belgium goals were scored by Tanguy Cosyns (37th), Boon (45th) and John-John Dohmen (56th).
RESULTS (Group A): Australia 3 Spain 0; India 1 England 2; Malaysia 2 Belgium 6.
MALAYSIA’S World Cup Fixtures (Malaysian time) -- June 5: v England (7pm); June 7: v India (8.30pm); June 9: v Spain (8.30pm).
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
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