MALAYSIA, wearing an all-white outfit, were not clinical but still beat China 5-1 to move closer to the semi-finals of the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan Friday.
Coach Stephen van Huizen, elated with the three points, agreed that there are areas that need improvement.
"We got the three points, and even though the team has been scoring more from penalty corner rebounds in two matches, I'm happy cos they are still goals.
"I understand that China are a young team, but the pressure was not on them and so they played calmly," said van Huizen.
China coach Song Yi is looking at the next four years to groom his side.
"We played in the national championships two weeks before the ACT and selected a young side because we are looking for results in four years time. The scoreline was big, but my players can play better but did not perform against Malaysia," said Song.
Razie Rahim, the No 1 penalty corner flicker could not execute powerful flicks, but they were on target and Haziq Samsul made the rebounds count.
Haziq scored off penalty corner rebounds in the sixth and 20th minutes, while Fitri Shaari's world class field goal in the 22nd minute gave coach Stephen van Huizen's men some breathing space going into the half-time break.
China pulled one back off Wang Bowen in the 33rd minute, but Shahril Saabah scored off a penalty corner attempt in the 37th minute to take a three-goal lead again.
Goalkeeper S. Kumar played one of his beat game yet, as he pulled off stunning saves to deny China.
Firhan Ashaari made it 5-1 with a penalty corner rebound in the 54th minute.
After a days rest, Malaysia play Japan and a win would ensure their semi-finals slot.
In another match, Pakistan edged South Korea 1-0 with a last minute penalty corner goal scored by Abdul Khan.
RESULTS: Pakistan 1 South Korea 0, Malaysia 5 China 1.
SATURDAY: India v South Korea (6.30pm), China v Japan (8.30pm).
SUNDAY: India v Pakistan (6.30pm), Malaysia v Japan (8.30pm).
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pts
MALAYSIA 2 2 0 0 9 3 6
INDIA 1 1 0 0 10 2 3
PAKISTAN 2 1 0 1 3 4 3
S. KOREA 1 0 0 1 0 1 0
CHINA 1 0 0 1 1 5 0
JAPAN 1 0 0 1 2 10 0
Friday, October 21, 2016
Good start for Malaysia...
Faizal Shaari, who returned to the national squad after serving his six-month ban and service with the back-up squad, scored a penalty stroke and a field goal to hand Malaysia the crucial win.
The first quarter was shaky, as Malaysia and Pakistan both played bad hockey and the crowd were almost put to sleep,
However, when the rain came pouring and stopped the match for 10 minutes, Malaysia regrouped and came out looking fresh in attack -- winning three crucial points in their attempt to finish higher than three consecutive bronze medals in the ACT.
Coach Stephen van Huizen's men lived dangerously, and three goals after the second half breather is what separated them from Pakistan.
They face China today, in what is expected to be another three points in the bag.
"The rain came at the right moment and my players regrouped and put up a good fight in the opening match even though Pakistan are never easy to beat," said Van Huizen.
"Penalty corners are our strongest in this tournament, and we utilised those that came our way. As for Faizal his goals made the difference but there is still much work to be done form him before he becomes what he was in previous years," said Van Huizen.
And China?: "We expect another good match, and even though they are a new side, nothing can be taken for granted tomorrow (today)."
Malaysia, with six penalty corner flickers in their fold, won their first in the 12th minute but Razie Rahim's flick was blocked by the first runner and they were awarded a consecutive second.
This time, Razie was on target but the ball was deflected out for pusher Firhan Ashaari to knock in from close range for a 13th minute lead.
However Aleem Bilal, 23, and into his first International with the seniors, scored two penalty corner goals in the 18th and 34th minutes to put the pressure on the hosts.
It was then that the match was stopped for 10 minutes as the rain lashed heavier and flooded the pitch.
And after resumption, two consecutive rough tackles by Pakistan goalkeeper Imran Butt on youngster Aiman Nik Rosemi in the 36th, resulted in a penalty stroke after a video referral.
Faizal Shaari executed a low push from the spot, and Malaysia were level at 2-2 by the 37th minute.
Malaysia were presented with a golden opportunity when they won their fifth penalty corner in the 41st minute, and Shahril Saabah's attempt made it 3-2.
The fourth goal came off a botched sixth penalty corner under pouring rain, which was salvaged by a powerful hit to the top of the net by Faizal in the 60th minute, for his brace.
RESULTS: Malaysia 4 Pakistan 2, India 10 Japan 2.
FRIDAY: Pakistan v South Korea (6.30pm), Malaysia v China (8.30pm).
SATURDAY: India v South Korea (6.30pm), China v Japan (8.30pm).
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pts
INDIA 1 1 0 0 10 2 3
MALAYSIA 1 1 0 0 4 2 3
PAKISTAN 1 0 0 1 2 4 0
JAPAN 1 0 0 1 0 10 0
CHINA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
S. KOREA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
