Back against the wall in cold Perth

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's back will be against the wall when they play provincial side Australia A in the fourth friendly in Perth Monday.
  For, coach Stephen van Huizen's men had lost the first three 3-2, 4-2 and 3-0 and can't afford any slip-ups in the remaining two matches.
  Malaysia are targeted to win gold in the Jakarta Asian Games, and qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but their performance in Australia has been anything but good.
  And since in Jakarta they will be playing Thailand at 12 noon and Bangladesh at 2pm, the training stint in cold Perth will have to be reversed with a hot schedule upon their return.
  Malaysia are in Group B and the other teams are Pakistan, Oman and Indonesia.
  "Yes, I am aware that we will be playing two mid-day matches in Jakarta and so have planned for morning and lunchtime training when we return from Perth," said van Huzien.
  In Perth, it is now 14-17 degrees Celsius.
  On the previous three defeats, van Huizen feels even though they are playing Australia A and not the World No 1 side, they have not been up against easy opponents.
  "Australia A is made up of players who are trying to break into the main squad as well as players who are trying to make a comeback after retirement.
  "So, they give their best to impress selectors and I expect the remaining three matches to be just as tough."

Malaysia 45+ lose to France

The Malaysian veterans 45+ team lost 3-0 to France at the Masters Hockey World Cup in Terrassa, Spain.
  After a 2-1 win Over Scotland, the veterans found France to be a tough nut to crack, as they wasted too many sitters.
  They will meet Germany next on Tuesday.
  Team manager Manjit Majid Abdullah said: "Even though France was a strong side, but we also had many chances to score but the strikers fumbled inside the semi-circle.
  "We play Germany next and I expect another difficult match."
   Malaysia is also playing in the 55+ event, and after a 9-0 win over Ireland, the team will meet Argentina on Monday.

Masters World Cup: Malaysian teams start well..

KUALA LUMPUR: Both the Malaysian veterans teams got off to a great start in the Masters Hockey World Cup in Terrassa, Spain.
  The 45+ team beat Scotland 2-1, while the 55+ team hammered Ireland 9-0.
  In the 45+ tournament, Malaysia are grouped with Germany, Spain, France and Scotland; while in the 55+ tournament Malaysia are with Argentina, Germany, Ireland and Italy.
  Team manager Manjit Majid Abdullah said: "In the 45+ match, we missed numerous scoring chances and it was a hard-fought win. However, in the 55+ we totally dominated and outclassed Ireland in every department.
  "Sarjit Singh (former Olympian) marshalled the 55+ well in this big win."
  Malaysia 55+ will next play Argentina on Monday, while the 45+ take on France next.

Kannagi denies sidelining Kirandeep...

Kirandeep Kaur scores winner against Queensland...

Kirandeep Kaur (file pic), who turned 15 during the ongoing Tour in Australia, scores the winning goal.

THE Malaysian women's hockey team beat Queensland 2-1 Friday. They were losing 1-0, but Nuraini Rashid scored the equalsier and a minute before the game ended, Kirandeep Kaur scored the winner.


By Saiful Affendy Sapran 
saifulaffendy@nstp.com.my 

KUALA LUMPUR: Fifteen-year-old Kirandeep Kaur scored a last minute winner against Queensland for a well deserved 2-1 victory leading towards the Asian Games in Jakarta. 
 Kirandeep made her national team debut in the Singapore Hockey Series Open end of June, where she scored her first international goal in Malaysia's 6-0 win against Thailand in the final. 
 It was coach K. Dharmaraj's team's second win in four matches as they won 3-1 in the third frienly and drew 2-2 and 1-1 in the others. 
 The Malaysian women were losing 1-0, but Nuraini Rashid scored the equalsier off a penalty corner and with 30 seconds remaining on the clock, Kirandeep nailed the winner off a penalty corner rebound. 
 Dharmaraj was all smiles, and praised his charges fighting spirit. 
 "Queensland started aggressively as they wanted their first win and took the lead. We had many chances to equalise off field attempts but their goalkeeper was in top form. "
  In the third quarter Nuraini finally equalised off a penalty corner which we won after mounting several waves of attacks, and it made my charges more determined. 
 "And with 30 seconds to end, Kirandeep scored off a penalty corner rebound to seal victory," said Dharmaraj. Malaysia will play their final friendly against Queensland on Sunday.