Asian Games men's Hockey results

Smith charges ahead

AUSTRALIAN newcomer Cameron Smith snatched a one- shot lead from Thai duo Chapchai Nirat and Sattaya  Supupramai after a bruising third round at the Worldwide  Holdings Selangor Masters at the Seri Selangor Golf Club  yesterday.
   Smith, the 2013 Australian Amateur Champion, battled to  an even par 71 which included three bogeys over his closing  four holes to put himself in position for a maiden Asian Tour  victory with a three-day aggregate of eight-under 205.
    Big-hitting Chapchai, a three-time winner but not since  2009, shot a 69 while Sattaya moved into contention with a 68  which included six birdies and two dropped shots over his last  three holes at the RM1.3 million event.
   An ailing overnight leader Anirban Lahiri of India strug gled to a 76 which included two closing double bogeys and  ended a tough day three shots behind Smith.
    The best placed Malaysian’s are bunched at tied 38th, on  two over 215 total.
   Danny Chia and Hans Jamil returned 73s yesterday, while  Khor Kheng Hwai had a 72.
   Current Order of Merit leader David Lipsky of the United  States kept himself in the hunt for a second title in three  weeks with a battling 69 which left him two back alongside  Australian Jake Higginbottom andTaiwan’s Hung Chien- yao.
    The 21-year-old Smith led into the final round of the CIMB  Niaga Indonesian Masters in April before settling for tied  second place behind Lahiri. The Aussie is determined to go  one better at the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters.
    “I’ve been in this position a couple of times now. Hopefully  I can close the deal. I need to stay patient and stick to my  game plan. With a bit of luck, hopefully I can win,” said  Smith.
    Two back at the start of the day, Smith looked menacing,  holing a birdie on 11 and another 25-foot eagle on 13 to surge  ahead of the pack. He three putted the 15th hole for bogey  and errant shots on 16 and 18 led to further shots.
   “I played pretty good but it was a disappointing finish.  That’s golf. It was pretty tough out there and I didn’t putt that  well ... no one to blame except myself. I’m going to relax and  do some putting in my room,” he said.
    The 30-year-old Sattaya hopes to build on his recent  victory on the Asian Development Tour as he searches for a  career breakthrough.
   “I’ve won on the ADT and I’ve gained confidence from  there. Playing on the Asian Tour is slightly different because  there are so many good players,” he said.

ASIAN GAMES: Malaysia 8 Singapore 2

Malaysia beat Singapore 8-2 in the Asian Games Hockey Group A match on Saturday and will next play Bangladesh, followed by S Korea and Japan.
   Need to beat two more teams to confirm semi-finals spot, and in cross-over, India or Pakistan the likely opponents.

MALAYSIA

Razie Rahim 2'min (PC) - MAS
Fitri Saari 3'min (FG) - MAS
Rahim Razie 17'min (PS) - MAS
Firhan Ashaari 30'min (FG) - MAS
Razie Rahim 35'min (PS) - MAS
Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin 37'min (FG) - MAS
Izwan Firdaus 48'min (FG) - MAS
Shahrun Nabil 51'min (FG) - MAS 

SINGAPORE 
Enrico Marican 11'min (PC) - SIN
Silas Noor Shah 28'min (FG) - SIN