Korea out-muscle Malaysia

MALAYSIA lost 2-0 to a physically stronger South Korea in Group C of the Junior World Cup at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru yesterday.

The national players were far superior in skills, but when push came to shove, the Koreans won the war with two penalty corner goals.

"We matched the Koreans in every department, except penalty corners. They scored while we missed all our penalty corners, and that was our downfall today (yesterday)," said coach K. Rajan.

And now, the coach said Malaysia must forget the defeat, as they still have two more matches to make amends: "We have a rest day, and then play the United States, and I believe, if we do not become complacent, we will win three points."

Malaysia buckled early in the match, but kept their composure for the remainder of the first half, and Korea only had one goal to show even though they controlled much of the match.
It was a third minute mistake which led to a penalty corner being awarded against Malaysia. And the Koreans made sure with a set-piece, which saw Kang Moon Kyu deflecting the ball high into the net.

"I studied the Korean penalty corner battery, and my boys were prepared for the flicks, but the Koreans caught them off guard by doing a new variation," said Rajan.

However, Malaysia did not crumble despite the early blow, but gained confidence as the minutes ticked by, and their counter-attacks kept Korean goalkeeper Kim Jae Geun on his toes.

And at the other end, Malaysian goalkeeper Abdul Hakim brought off many superb saves to deny the Koreans.

Malaysia had their chance to equalise, when they won their only penalty corner in the first half in the 21st minute.

Faizal Shaari dragged the ball with all his might, and knocked out Korean first runner Kim Kyung Hun, who made a kamikaze darting run.

Kim hurt his palms, and was out for the remainder of the match.

Early in the second half, Malaysia were more confident, but missed numerous sitters while South Korea failed to score off two penalty corners they received in the 45th and 48th minutes.

But the Koreans never let off the pressure, and in the 54th minute, they won another penalty corner and this time, Jeung Yung Sang's low push sounded the board.

RESULTS: Group A: Russia 3 Argentina 9, Egypt 0 Pakistan 3; Group B: Chile 0 Australia 4, South Africa 0 Germany 4; Group C: Malaysia 0 South Korea 2, USA 0 Spain 9; Group D: Singapore 0 India 10, Poland 2 Netherlands 7.

TODAY -- Group A: Argentina v Belgium (5.30pm, Johor); Group B: Australia v Japan (7.30pm, Singapore); Group C: Spain v England (7.30pm, Johor); Group D: India v New Zealand (5.30pm, Singapore).