MALAYSIA lived dangerously but still managed to beat South Africa 6-4 in Group B of the World Hockey League Semi-finals at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru yesterday.
Cheered on by a capacity crowd of 3,500, with drums and constant singing, Paul Revington's men showed that they could upset the formbook when they collected full points in a nerve-wrecking match.
Malaysia played just like they did in the 4-4 draw against Pakistan when they went for early goals against South Africa and were rewarded for their tireless efforts.
Upfront, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin and Faizal Saari tore the South African defense with ease and won the first penalty corner in the fourth minute.
Cheered on by a capacity crowd, Faizal drove the ball at the back of the net for the lead.
And a wave of attacks after that saw Chua Boon Huat win the third penalty corner, and this time Razie Rahim perfected the drag flick for a 2-0 lead in the 15th minute.
However, the South Africans were allowed back into the game as Malaysia kept giving away penalty corners, and were punished in the 26th minute.
Jethro Eustice made it count, and Malaysia were in danger of losing the script again, as they trooped into the dressing room with a one-goal advantage.
The Africans came charging out fully recharged after the breather, and drew level with a quick freak goal in the 37th minute.
Wade Paton picked up a loose ball at the top of the semi-circle, and sent in a thundering shot which grazed goalkeeper S. Kumar's shoulders and went sailing in for the equaliser.
Malaysia managed to compose their nerves after that, and started playing their normal game again and were rewarded with the fourth penalty corner in the 46th minute.
And Razie gave Malaysia the lead again by scoring his fourth goal of the tournament.
Faizal Saari then gave the cheering crowd reason to celebrate again as he darted a good 20 meters before slamming in the fourth goal in the 54th minute.
However, even before the celebrations could end, South Africa scored their third goal off a field attempt by Miguel da Garca in the 56th minute.
But not to be outdone by his brother Faizal, Fitri Saari then got into the act with a super reverse stick from an acute angle which went crashing into the net for a 5-3 lead in the 58th minute.
And the gates opened up as Izwan Firdaus was manhandled in the semi-cirlce just as he was about to score and Malaysia were awarded a penalty stroke but Razie Rahim failed to convert.
But Marhan Jalil made sure victory for Malaysia with a field attempt in the 63rd minute.
Timothy Drummond scored in the 69th minute for South Africa for a final tally of 6-4.
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
ARGENTINA 2 1 1 0 8 2 4
GERMANY 2 1 1 0 6 1 4
S KOREA 2 0 1 1 3 8 1
JAPAN 2 0 1 1 4 10 1
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
MALAYSIA 2 1 1 0 10 8 4
PAKISTAN 2 0 2 0 6 6 2
ENGLAND 2 0 2 0 5 5 2
S AFRICA 2 0 1 1 7 9 1
RESULTS: Group A: Argentina 7 Japan 1, Korea 0 Germany 5.
Group B: Pakistan 2 England 2, South Africa 4 Malaysia 6.
TODAY: REST DAY
TOMORROW: Group A: Germany v Japan (3pm), Argentina v Korea (5pm).
Group B: England v Malaysia (7pm), South Africa v Pakistan (9pm).
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Germans hammer Korea 5-0
WORLD No 1 Germany needed an own goal to spur them to beat South Korea 5-0 in Group A of the World League Semi-finals at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru yesterday.
It was a drab start, as South Korea took the game to Germany who looked like they were contended with soaking in the pressure for the first 15 minutes of the game.
The only goalmouth action was a penalty corner attempt by South Korea in the sixth minute, but it was well palmed away by goalkeeper Nicolas Jacobi.
And after 25 minutes of play, much of which centred around the midfield area, South Korea and Germany failed to break the deadlock, as defenders from both sides were rock-steady.
The first 35 minutes were a disappointing encounter as the World No 1 looked a jaded side as they trooped into the dressing room.
And when the match resumed, an own goal by South Korea gave Germany the lead in the 38th minute.
What was supposed to be a reverse-stick cross from Oliver Korn, was turned into a goal when Korea's Nam Hyun Woo connected home.
The own-goal spurred the Germans to win their first penalty corner of the match in the 40th minute, and Moritz Furste made it count with a top-net drag.
Germany suddenly found their gait, and placed South Korea into deeper misery in the 47th minute when Christopher Zeller's penalty corner attempt almost tore the netting for a 3-0 lead.
And the hammering was completed when Christopher Ruhr sent in a reverse-stick attempt in the 67th minute, and then scored his brace in the 70th minute for a final 5-0 drubbing.
Germany, after Monday's rest day, play Japan and could end up at the top of the Group A standings.
It was a drab start, as South Korea took the game to Germany who looked like they were contended with soaking in the pressure for the first 15 minutes of the game.
The only goalmouth action was a penalty corner attempt by South Korea in the sixth minute, but it was well palmed away by goalkeeper Nicolas Jacobi.
And after 25 minutes of play, much of which centred around the midfield area, South Korea and Germany failed to break the deadlock, as defenders from both sides were rock-steady.
The first 35 minutes were a disappointing encounter as the World No 1 looked a jaded side as they trooped into the dressing room.
And when the match resumed, an own goal by South Korea gave Germany the lead in the 38th minute.
What was supposed to be a reverse-stick cross from Oliver Korn, was turned into a goal when Korea's Nam Hyun Woo connected home.
The own-goal spurred the Germans to win their first penalty corner of the match in the 40th minute, and Moritz Furste made it count with a top-net drag.
Germany suddenly found their gait, and placed South Korea into deeper misery in the 47th minute when Christopher Zeller's penalty corner attempt almost tore the netting for a 3-0 lead.
And the hammering was completed when Christopher Ruhr sent in a reverse-stick attempt in the 67th minute, and then scored his brace in the 70th minute for a final 5-0 drubbing.
Germany, after Monday's rest day, play Japan and could end up at the top of the Group A standings.
Argentina 7 Japan 1
Argentina move to the top of Pool A thanks to a comprehensive win over Japan. Next up, KOR v GER.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
England 3 South Africa 3
There were no winners in the opening day of the World League Semifinals in Johor Baru as England and South Africa also ended their match with a 3-3 draw.
Germany and Argentina drew 1-1 in the opening match, while the all Asian affair saw South Korea and Japan sharing the spoils with 3-3 draw.
The third match offered eight goals as Malaysia were held by Pakistan 4-4.
South Africa made a perfect start to their World League Semifinals campaign when Julian Hykes picked up a brace in the 6th and 9th minute respectively.
The goals rocked the second highest ranked team in the tournament, but they were soon back on steady grounds and begun to show some positive attacking play.
England did manage to reduce the deficit, but it was courtesy of an own goal which came in the 13th minute from the stick of Rhett Halkett.
Both teams had their own share of possession but failed to make the best of their chance as the score stood at half time.
The second half was off to the same tempo as it left of in the first with both side looking impressive on the ball but continued to struggle in finding the breakthrough.
However, the world No 4 side found the telling equalizer in the 56th minute when Mark Gleghorne set up Ben Arnold for the simplest of tap in.
The final five minutes saw South Africa restoring their lead in the 65 minute through Jonathan Robinson, but the lead was cancel out once again when Richard Smith found the net in the 70th to share the spoils.
Germany and Argentina drew 1-1 in the opening match, while the all Asian affair saw South Korea and Japan sharing the spoils with 3-3 draw.
The third match offered eight goals as Malaysia were held by Pakistan 4-4.
South Africa made a perfect start to their World League Semifinals campaign when Julian Hykes picked up a brace in the 6th and 9th minute respectively.
The goals rocked the second highest ranked team in the tournament, but they were soon back on steady grounds and begun to show some positive attacking play.
England did manage to reduce the deficit, but it was courtesy of an own goal which came in the 13th minute from the stick of Rhett Halkett.
Both teams had their own share of possession but failed to make the best of their chance as the score stood at half time.
The second half was off to the same tempo as it left of in the first with both side looking impressive on the ball but continued to struggle in finding the breakthrough.
However, the world No 4 side found the telling equalizer in the 56th minute when Mark Gleghorne set up Ben Arnold for the simplest of tap in.
The final five minutes saw South Africa restoring their lead in the 65 minute through Jonathan Robinson, but the lead was cancel out once again when Richard Smith found the net in the 70th to share the spoils.
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