Marked out of the match

By Jugjet Singh
jugjet@nst.com.my


IPOH: Malaysia played with a handicap as three regulars were tightly marked, and lost 4-2 to India in the Azlan Shah Cup.
  Confident and commanding, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin, Faizal Saari and Firhan Ashaari were taken out of the match by tight marking shadows.
  India looked fitter and controlled the match for long periods, resulting in goals from Sumit (17th), Sumit Kumar 27th, Varun Kumar 36th and Mandeep Singh (58th).
  Malaysia's goals were scored by Razie Rahim in the 21st minute and Firhan Ashaari in the 57th.
  "We played a fast and very entertaining game for the crowd but I am not happy with the end result. There are many positives to take from this game and now I know what to prepare for the (FIH World Series) Olympic Qualifier in April.
  "We had the game  in our hands at one point, but let it go, and after scoring the second goal we pressed harder but were punished with the fourth,"
  "Against Korea tomorrow (today) we need to make sure the players get a good rest and recovery work is very important," said Malaysian coach Roelant Oltmans.
  Malaysia next play South Korea today, and when asked about his opinion on the match, South Korea coach Shin Seok-kyo shook his head.
  "Next time I receive an invitation from Malaysia to play in the Azlan Shah Cup, I will throw it away," said a smiling Shin.
  Seriously: "Malaysia in his tournament is at their best, and will be difficult to beat. With the backing of their fans, it will be a very difficult match.
  "I love coming to the Azlan Shah tournament, as this is the best platform for us to test our players ahead of our FIH Series Finals in France (in June)," said Shin.
  

STANDINGS

                P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts
S KOREA         3  2  1  0  10 6  7
INDIA           3  2  1  0  7  3  7
MALAYSIA        3  2  0  1  11 8  6
CANADA          3  2  0  1  9  7  6
JAPAN           3  0  0  3  4  8  0
POLAND          3  0  0  3  3  12 0


  RESULTS: Japan 1 Canada 2, Poland 2 South Korea 3, Malaysia 2 India 4.
  WEDNESDAY: Poland v Japan (4pm), Canada v India (6pm), Malaysia v South Korea (8.35pm).
  THURSDAY: REST DAY.
  FRIDAY: India v Poland (4pm), South Korea v Japan (6pm), Malaysia v Canada (8.35pm).