08/05/08
New Zealand 4 India 3
Argentina 2 Belgium 1
Pakistan 3 Malaysia 2
TODAY -- Canada v Belgium (4pm), Pakistan v New Zealand (6pm), Argentina v India (8pm).
TOMORROW: Rest Day.
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pts
NEW ZEALAND 1 1 0 0 4 3 3
PAKISTAN 1 1 0 0 3 2 3
ARGENTINA 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
MALAYSIA 1 0 0 1 2 3 0
INDIA 1 0 0 1 3 4 0
BELGIUM 1 0 0 1 1 2 0
CANADA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Malaysia 2 Pakistan 3
08/05/08
MALAYSIA were the better team, but Pakistan rode on luck, to win 3-2 in the 17th Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh yesterday. The home side displayed a level of hockey not seen the whole of this year, and Pakistan were forced to defend for more than 40 minutes but still, there were some poor finishing which will be lamented by the players in the days to come. However, the 3,000-odd crowd at the Azlan Shah Stadium appreciated the commitment from their players, and there were a round of cheers even though the team lost. Malaysia tore the Pakistan defense in the first minute itself, and Kelvinder Singh set the stadium on fire, when he deflected in a cross off a goalmouth melee. The Pakistanis protested, but umpire Devendra Patel stood his ground. And Malaysia almost made it 2-0 a few minutes later, but Amirullah Aziz's goal was disallowed. And there were plenty of close shaves after that. However, Pakistan equalised in the 22nd minute, off the second penalty corner, when Muhammad Ateeq's low flick sounded the board. But even before they could settle down, Malaysia went on the counter and earned a penalty corner. Amin Rahim made it 2-1 with a low flick in the 23rd minute, and the match started to open up. But Pakistan were in no mood to lose, and scored the equalsier again in the 28th minute. This time, it was a field effort from Shakeel Abbasi. Malaysia were in total control of the second half, as Pakistan struggled to hold back tide-after-tide of Malaysian strikers, and the only thing missing was finishing. As the minutes ticked by, Pakistan could only rely on rare counter attacks, and won two penalty corners, and the first was saved by first runner Baljit Singh Charun, but Muhammad Saqlain connected home the second one in the 60th minute, and Pakistan were in the lead for the first time in this match. Malaysia controlled the remaining minutes of the match, and earned a penalty corner with two minutes remining, but a kamikaze run from Pakistan saw Malaysia losing their opening encounter. In the curtain raiser, New Zealand edged India 4-3. India took a 2-0 lead off Sandeep Singh's penalty corners in the 14th and 20th minutes, but the Kiwis fought back to equalsie off Lloyd Stephenson (22nd) and Simon Child (22nd). New Zealand then surged ahead with goals off Phillip Burrows (45th) and Gareth Brooks (54th). Sandeep scored his hat-trick in the 60th minute, but the Kiwis held onto their slim lead for three points. "One can say that we have a new team after the change in management back home, and I am proud of the way they played today (yesterday). We only won three penalty corners, and scored all. This means Sandeep is back after a year's layoff," said India coach A.K. Bansal. New Zealand coach Shane McLeod was not happy with his penalty corner defense, but the three points were what his charges went in looking for. "It is always improtant to win in the first match, and we did just that. I believe we will improve further in this tournament." said McLeod. In another match, Argentina were the superior side, as they showcased fantastic skills to beat Belgium 2-1. Belgium had qualifierd for the Beijing Olympics, but played well below par. Argentina got their goals off Martin Sosa (33rd) and Tomas Argento (60th), while the Belgian scorer was Jerome Truyens (54th).
MALAYSIA were the better team, but Pakistan rode on luck, to win 3-2 in the 17th Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh yesterday. The home side displayed a level of hockey not seen the whole of this year, and Pakistan were forced to defend for more than 40 minutes but still, there were some poor finishing which will be lamented by the players in the days to come. However, the 3,000-odd crowd at the Azlan Shah Stadium appreciated the commitment from their players, and there were a round of cheers even though the team lost. Malaysia tore the Pakistan defense in the first minute itself, and Kelvinder Singh set the stadium on fire, when he deflected in a cross off a goalmouth melee. The Pakistanis protested, but umpire Devendra Patel stood his ground. And Malaysia almost made it 2-0 a few minutes later, but Amirullah Aziz's goal was disallowed. And there were plenty of close shaves after that. However, Pakistan equalised in the 22nd minute, off the second penalty corner, when Muhammad Ateeq's low flick sounded the board. But even before they could settle down, Malaysia went on the counter and earned a penalty corner. Amin Rahim made it 2-1 with a low flick in the 23rd minute, and the match started to open up. But Pakistan were in no mood to lose, and scored the equalsier again in the 28th minute. This time, it was a field effort from Shakeel Abbasi. Malaysia were in total control of the second half, as Pakistan struggled to hold back tide-after-tide of Malaysian strikers, and the only thing missing was finishing. As the minutes ticked by, Pakistan could only rely on rare counter attacks, and won two penalty corners, and the first was saved by first runner Baljit Singh Charun, but Muhammad Saqlain connected home the second one in the 60th minute, and Pakistan were in the lead for the first time in this match. Malaysia controlled the remaining minutes of the match, and earned a penalty corner with two minutes remining, but a kamikaze run from Pakistan saw Malaysia losing their opening encounter. In the curtain raiser, New Zealand edged India 4-3. India took a 2-0 lead off Sandeep Singh's penalty corners in the 14th and 20th minutes, but the Kiwis fought back to equalsie off Lloyd Stephenson (22nd) and Simon Child (22nd). New Zealand then surged ahead with goals off Phillip Burrows (45th) and Gareth Brooks (54th). Sandeep scored his hat-trick in the 60th minute, but the Kiwis held onto their slim lead for three points. "One can say that we have a new team after the change in management back home, and I am proud of the way they played today (yesterday). We only won three penalty corners, and scored all. This means Sandeep is back after a year's layoff," said India coach A.K. Bansal. New Zealand coach Shane McLeod was not happy with his penalty corner defense, but the three points were what his charges went in looking for. "It is always improtant to win in the first match, and we did just that. I believe we will improve further in this tournament." said McLeod. In another match, Argentina were the superior side, as they showcased fantastic skills to beat Belgium 2-1. Belgium had qualifierd for the Beijing Olympics, but played well below par. Argentina got their goals off Martin Sosa (33rd) and Tomas Argento (60th), while the Belgian scorer was Jerome Truyens (54th).
Journalists hard at work
Malaysian journalists in action during the first day of the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh.
08/05/08
Monday, May 5, 2008
MHF wants gold
Australians with the Azlan Shah Cup, after beating Malaysia 3-1 in the final in 2007.05/05/08
THE Malaysian hockey Federation (MHF) want a spot in the final, and coach Sarjit Singh believes his charges will be up to it when the Azlan Shah Cup starts in Ipoh on Thursday.
Malaysia will open accounts with Pakistan on Thursday, and Sarjit feels his charges have an equal chance.
After the council meeting on Saturday, MHF president Tan Sri Admiral (rtd) Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor said: "Last year there was a stronger field and we made it to the final, so this year, I see no reason why the team should not be in the final again."
"This is not an easy field, as Pakistan, Canada, Belgium and New Zealand have qualified for the Beijing Olympics, while Malaysia, Argentina and India were runners-up in their respective Olympic Qualifiers.
"However, since the difference in strength among all seven teams is not big, it will be touch-and-go in all the matches and reaching the final is not beyond our reach," said Sarjit.
Four players from the Japan Qualifiers were left out.
"S. Kuhan, Shahrun Nabil and Razie (Abdul Rahman) are injured, while Ahmad Anuar (Sham) has been placed on the reserve list."
Baljit Singh (Sarjab), Megat Azrafiq, Riduan Nasir and Amirullah Aziz were selected to replace the four.
"Jiwa (Mohan) has also managed to secure leave from his employers and he will again be an asset. He scored three penalty corner goals in Japan, and I am sure he will be good for more goals in Ipoh," said Sarjit.
MALAYSIA: Goalkeepers -- S. Kumar, Hanafi Hassan; Defenders: Megat Azrafiq, Madzli Ikmar, Amin Rahim, Baljit Singh Sarjab, Baljit Singh Charun.
Midfielders: Sukri Mutalib, Azlan Misron, Kelvinder Singh, Jiwa Mohan, Jivan Mohan, Riduan Nasir.
Forwards: S. Selvaraju, Chua Boon Huat, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin, Ismail Abu, Amirullah Aziz.
Reserves: Ahmad Anuar Sham Kamar, Hafifi Hafiz.
FIXTURES -- Thursday: India v New Zealand (4pm), Argentina v Belgium (6pm), Pakistan v Malaysia (8pm).
Friday: Canada v Belgium (4pm), Pakistan v New Zealand (6pm), Argentina v India (8pm).
Saturday: REST DAY.
Sunday: Canada v India (4pm), Malaysia v New Zealand (6pm), Pakistan v Argentina (8pm).
May 12: Belgium v India (4pm), Canada v Pakistan (6pm), Malaysia v Argentina (8pm).
May 13: REST DAY.
May 14: New Zealand v Argentina (4pm), Belgium v Pakistan (6pm), Malaysia v Canada (8pm).
May 15: India v Pakistan (4pm), New Zealand v Canada (6pm), Belgium v Malaysia (8pm).
May 16: REST DAY.
May 17: Argentina v Canada (4pm), India v Malaysia (6pm), New Zealand v Belgium (8pm).
May 18: Classifications and Final (8pm).
Korea snatch last ticket
05/05/08SOUTH Korea whitewashed Italy 5-0 to snatch a ticket to the Beijing Olympics, while Malaysia went to strokes before finishing fifth in the Olympic Qualifiers in Vancouver on Sunday.
Malaysia ended tied 2-2 with Uruguay, but won the penalty stroke competition 3-2 to claim a fifth spot. Ireland won bronze when they beat Canada 2-1.
Nadia Abdul Rahman scored off a penalty corner deflection in the 25th minute, but Uruguay equalised in the 59th minute off Virginia Bessio.
Malaysia took the lead again off Norfaraha Hashim in the 62nd minute, but were reduced to ten players for the last five minutes of the match after a red card was flashed to Noor Hasliza.
Uruguay took the match into overtime with a penalty- corner goal by Teresa Algorta in the 69th minute.
No golden goal was scored, and Malaysia won the shoot-out 3-2.
The women’s teams qualified for Beijing are: Argentina, Australia, China, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, South Africa and USA.
Malaysia ended tied 2-2 with Uruguay, but won the penalty stroke competition 3-2 to claim a fifth spot. Ireland won bronze when they beat Canada 2-1.
Nadia Abdul Rahman scored off a penalty corner deflection in the 25th minute, but Uruguay equalised in the 59th minute off Virginia Bessio.
Malaysia took the lead again off Norfaraha Hashim in the 62nd minute, but were reduced to ten players for the last five minutes of the match after a red card was flashed to Noor Hasliza.
Uruguay took the match into overtime with a penalty- corner goal by Teresa Algorta in the 69th minute.
No golden goal was scored, and Malaysia won the shoot-out 3-2.
The women’s teams qualified for Beijing are: Argentina, Australia, China, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, South Africa and USA.
WorldHockey Olympic Qualifier, Women – Victoria, CanadaResults day 6: Sunday 4 May 2008
1st-2nd placeKorea - Italy 5:0 (5:0) 4mn Mi Hyun PARK (FG) 1:010mn Seon Ok LEE (PC) 2:011mn Hye Jin SEO (FG) 3:016mn Sung Hee GIM (PC) 4:023mn Jong Eun KIM (FG) 5:0
3rd-4th placeIreland - Canada 2:1 (2:1) 6mn Jenny McDONOUGH (PC) 1:026mn Cathy McKEAN (FG) 2:0 35mn Stephanie JAMESON (PC) 2:1
5th-6th placeMalaysia - Uruguay 2:2 (1:0, 2:2, 2:2, penalty strokes:3:2)25mn Nadia ABDUL RAHMAN (PC) 1:059mn Virginia BESSIO (PC) 1:1 62mn Norfaraha HASHIM (PC) 2:169mn Teresa ALGORTA (PC) 2:2
Final Standings: 1) Korea 2) Italy 3) Ireland 4) Canada 5) Malaysia 6) Uruguay. Korea qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing,
Best Player: Mi Hyun PARK, KORBest Goalkeeper: Sarah FORBES, CANTop Scorer: Mi Hyun PARK, KOR, 7 goalsFair Play: ITALY
1st-2nd placeKorea - Italy 5:0 (5:0) 4mn Mi Hyun PARK (FG) 1:010mn Seon Ok LEE (PC) 2:011mn Hye Jin SEO (FG) 3:016mn Sung Hee GIM (PC) 4:023mn Jong Eun KIM (FG) 5:0
3rd-4th placeIreland - Canada 2:1 (2:1) 6mn Jenny McDONOUGH (PC) 1:026mn Cathy McKEAN (FG) 2:0 35mn Stephanie JAMESON (PC) 2:1
5th-6th placeMalaysia - Uruguay 2:2 (1:0, 2:2, 2:2, penalty strokes:3:2)25mn Nadia ABDUL RAHMAN (PC) 1:059mn Virginia BESSIO (PC) 1:1 62mn Norfaraha HASHIM (PC) 2:169mn Teresa ALGORTA (PC) 2:2
Final Standings: 1) Korea 2) Italy 3) Ireland 4) Canada 5) Malaysia 6) Uruguay. Korea qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing,
Best Player: Mi Hyun PARK, KORBest Goalkeeper: Sarah FORBES, CANTop Scorer: Mi Hyun PARK, KOR, 7 goalsFair Play: ITALY
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
