Malaysia 2 Canada 2

MALAYSIA played hot-and-cold to hold Olympic-bound Canada 2-1 in the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh Tuesday.

  With five points after four matches, Malaysia are out of the running to play in the final, but can salvage some pride by winning against Pakistan and India in the next matches to play for the bronze.

  Playing in front of another capacity crowd, Malaysia played a fast-paced game but after 15 minutes, they failed to break the duck as Canada defenders played a robust game.

  The national players needed a win, at any cost, to make sure they finish among the top-four in the 25th Edition.

  But it was Canada who took the lead off their skipper Scott Tupper, who converted a penalty corner in the 21st minute.

  Malaysia were rewarded for pushing forward in numbers, when Shahril Saabh perfected a penalty corner set-piece in the 29th minute to draw level and enter the half-time dressing room with some breathing space.

  After the break, Shahril's shot at goal was deflected in by Nabil Fiqri in the 31st minute, and Malaysia were back in the match.

  However, in the last five minutes of the third quarter, Malaysian defenders started taking unnecessary risks and were punished by Matthew Guest in the 45th minute -- 20 seconds from the break hooter.

  The score stood, and Malaysia held the the Olympic-bound Canadians.

  "Both the teams came out looking for a win to move higher on the standings, but we missed too many crosses across the goalmouth that forced us to share points.

  "However, it was another good game from my players and we are still within our target of finishing among the top four in the tournament, provided we get the better of Pakistan tomorrow (today) and India in our final pool match," said Malaysian coach Stephen van Huizen.

  Australia edged New Zealand 1-0 to place a foot in the final of the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh Tuesday.

  Jamie Dwyer, who will be playing in his fourth Olympics in Brazil, made the difference with a 22nd minute penalty corner goal.

  Defending champions New Zealand tried to steal a point from the World N 1 by removing their goalkeeper in the last four minutes of the match, but failed to score off the four penalty corners they won.

  In another match, India hammered Pakistan 5-1 with goals from Manpreet Singh (4th), Sunil Sowmarpet (10th, 41st), Talwinder Singh (50th), Rupinder Pal Singh (54th), 

  The Pakistan consolation was scored by Muhammad Irfan (7th).

  

STANDINGS

             P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts

AUSTRALIA    4  4  0  0  15 2  12

INDIA        4  3  0  1  11 8  9

N ZEALAND    5  2  2  1  13 9  8

CANADA       5  1  2  2  8  10 5

MALAYSIA     4  1  2  1  10 13 5

PAKISTAN     4  1  0  3  7  15 3

JAPAN        4  0  0  4  6  13 0

  

  RESULTS: Australia 1 New Zealand 0, Pakistan 1 India 5, Malaysia 2 Canada 2.

  April 13: New Zealand v India (4pm), Australia v Japan (6pm), Malaysia v Pakistan (8.35pm).

  April 14: REST DAY.

  April 15: Japan v Pakistan (4pm), Australia v Canada (6pm), Malaysia v India (8.35pm).

  April 16: Classifications and Final.

India 5 Pakistan 1

In another match, India hammered Pakistan 5-1 with goals from Manpreet Singh (4th), Sunil Sowmarpet (10th, 41st), Talwinder Singh (50th),  Rupinder Pal Singh (54th), 
  The Pakistan consolation was scored by Muhammad Irfan (7th).

Australia 1 New Zealand 0

AZLAN SHAH CUP IPOH

Jamie Dwyer strike...
New Zealand played last 4 minutes without goalkeeper.

Canada wary of 15-man Malaysia..

CANADA coach Anthony Farry feels whenever Malaysia plays at home, it looks like they have 15 players on the pitch.
  This statement came about on the eve of a crucial Azlan Shah Cup encounter between Malaysia and Canada in Ipoh Tuesday.
  A win will place either team in a better footing to play in the third-fourth placing match.
  Canada and Malaysia are tied on four points, but Malaysia have played one less match. Canada's last match is against Australia, while Malaysia still have Pakistan and India after this match.
  "It simply amazing to see Malaysia play at home, and they have shown great form in all three matches so far. It looks like they have 15 players, not 11 on the pitch," said Farry.
  Canada skipper Scott Tupper said the two teams rivalry goes back more than 20 years.
  "When ever Canada and Malaysia play, over the last two decades, the matches have always been explosive and entertaining. I believe it will be the same on Tuesday," said Tupper.
  The only vast difference between the teams is that Canada have qualified for the Olympics by finishing fourth in the World League Semi-finals in Argentina. While Malaysia finished sixth in the WL Semi-finals in Antwerp and did not qualify.
  In Ipoh, Malaysia drew defending champions New Zealand 3-3, beat Japan 4-3 and lost to Australia 5-1.
  "For sure this match will be the turning point in our Azlan Shah campaign and we have plans for full points. Canada are in the same boat, and are no pushovers, so I believe it will be difficult but not impossible to beat them," said Malaysian coach Stephen van Huizen.
  Skipper Razie Rahim, who is tied on four goals as the tournament top-scorer with Pakistan's Arslan Qadir and New Zealand's Nic Woods, believes his players have the edge.
  "We have played well in all three matches, and the big defeat against Australia (5-1) was because of a two-minute lapse of concentration.
  "But I believe my team-mates are ready to win their second match of the tournament and keep our sights on finishing among the top-four," said Razie.
  

STANDINGS

             P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts
AUSTRALIA    3  3  0  0  14 2  9
N ZEALAND    4  2  2  0  13 8  8
INDIA        3  2  0  1  6  7  6
CANADA       4  1  1  2  6  8  4
MALAYSIA     3  1  1  1  8  11 4
PAKISTAN     3  1  0  2  6  10 3
JAPAN        4  0  0  4  6  13 0
  
  April 11: REST DAY.
  April 12: Australia v New Zealand (4pm), Pakistan v India (6pm), Malaysia v Canada (8.35pm).
  April 13: New Zealand v India (4pm), Australia v Japan (6pm), Malaysia v Pakistan (8.35pm).
  April 14: REST DAY.
  April 15: Japan v Pakistan (4pm), Australia v Canada (6pm), Malaysia v India (8.35pm).
  April 16: Classifications and Final.

Selvaraju off to Australia ...10th foreign league

SELVARAJU (in red)

FORMER national player S. Selvaraju, 30, left for Australia yesterday to play in his 10th foreign league.
  He last played for the country in the 2009 Invercargill, New Zealand, World Cup qualifier after which he was sidelined because of internal bickering.
  "I have played in 10 overseas stints since that, and I am still in demand overseas even though locall coaches feel that I am not up to their mark," said Selvaraju.
  He left for Australia yesterday to play for Greater Dandenong Warriors HC until September.
  "Since 2010, I have played in New Zealand, France, Germany three times, Italy twice, Hong Kong and Thailand Leagues.
  "Malaysian players are in high demand in these countries, and over the years, with my contacts there I have sent many young players to play overseas as well," said Selvaraju.
  Selvaraju feels for Malaysian players to progress, they must play in overseas leagues.
  "There is no spoon-feeding when you go overseas, everything is on your own and one becomes a better person as well as player in the long run," said Selvaraju.
  Selvaraju who made his debut in the 2005 Junior World Cup in Rotterdam, currently plays for Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHC) and also coaches the UniKL development squad.
  The other nine clubs Selvaraju has turned out for are Midlands HC New Zealand, Racing Santhder HC France, Wespen HC Germany, Berliner HC Germany, Monchengladbach HC Germany, Armicora HC Italy, Pistotia HC Italy, Khalsa HC Hong Kong, Air force HC Thailand.