MALAYSIA finally found their winning touch in the 19th Azlan Shah Cup when they beat Egypt 5-0 in Ipoh yesterday.
And after a day's rest they will face top-of-the-table in India, and wrap-up their fixtures against China on Thursday. The national players need six points from both the remaining matches for a good finish.
Coach Stephen van Huizen's men were in dire need to beat Egypt to keep afloat in the Azlan Shah Cup, but started off listlessly, and strikers Azlan Misron, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin and Hafifihafiz Hanafi were clueless when presented with chances.
This tirade continued for a good 20 minutes, and the crowd became restless as Egypt started to come out of their semi-circle and started attacking.
After a few close shaves, finally the national players got their act together in the 24th minute when Azlan Misron scored a freak goal for the much sought after lead.
Azlan raced into the semi-circle and lost the ball when Egyption goalkeeper Farahat El Razak shielded it from him, but in his haste, the goalkeeper fumbled and allowed the ball to trickle into goal.
And Malaysia increased the lead off their second penalty corner in the 33rd minute when Amin Rahim made a dummy and passed the ball to 19-year-olf Faizal Saari to flick high into the net.
The second half saw more urgency from the Malaysian side and in the 40th minute, the lead was increased to 3-0 when Amin Rahim made a direct penalty corner attempt.
And the Egyptions had barely settled down, when a minute later Azlan Misron scored his brace after connecting home a pass from close range.
The Egyptions were beaten, but Malaysia needed more goals and Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin delivered the fifth in the 56th minute.
Tengku was named as man-of-the-match for his tireless workrate in the second half.
Defending champions India pulled of a major upset when they beat World No 1 Australia 4-3 in a thriller.
India, unbeaten after four matches, have two more matches against Malaysia and Egypt, and three points would be enough to take them into the final.
India took a 3-0 lead into the breather when Tushar Khandker (19th, 33rd) and Rajpal Singh (21st) were on target. However, they allowed the Aussies back into the match with goals from Trent Milton (38th) and Christopher Ciriello (40th) before Shivendra Singh came to their rescue with a 61st minute goal to make it 4-2.
Australia narrowed the gap with 30 seconds remaining on the clock off a Mark Paterson field goal.
In the first match of the day, South Korea beat China 5-3 and will have to beat both Australia on Thursday and Pakistan on Saturday to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive.
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pts
INDIA 4 3 1 0 12 8 10
KOREA 4 2 1 1 14 7 7
AUSTRALIA 3 2 0 1 9 5 6
MALAYSIA 4 1 2 1 10 6 5
PAKISTAN 3 1 1 1 11 9 4
CHINA 3 0 1 2 6 12 1
EGYPT 3 0 0 3 0 15 0
RESULTS: South Korea 5 China 3, Australia 3 India 4, Malaysia 5 Egypt
0.
TODAY: Rest Day.
TOMORROW: Australia v Pakistan (4.05pm), China v Egypt (6.05pm),
India v Malaysia (8.05pm).
Monday, May 10, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
India take early lead
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pts
INDIA 3 2 1 0 8 5 7
AUSTRALIA 2 2 0 0 6 1 6
KOREA 3 1 1 1 9 4 4
PAKISTAN 3 1 1 1 11 9 4
MALAYSIA 3 0 2 1 5 6 2
CHINA 2 0 1 1 3 7 1
EGYPT 2 0 0 2 0 10 0
RESULTS: South Korea 2 India 3, Pakistan 6 China 2, Australia 2 Malaysia 1.
TODAY: South Korea v China (4.05pm), Australia v India (6.05pm), Malaysia v Egypt (8.05pm).
TOMORROW: Rest Day.
WEDNESDAY: Australia v Pakistan (4.05pm), China v Egypt (6.05pm), India v Malaysia (8.05pm).
P W D L F A Pts
INDIA 3 2 1 0 8 5 7
AUSTRALIA 2 2 0 0 6 1 6
KOREA 3 1 1 1 9 4 4
PAKISTAN 3 1 1 1 11 9 4
MALAYSIA 3 0 2 1 5 6 2
CHINA 2 0 1 1 3 7 1
EGYPT 2 0 0 2 0 10 0
RESULTS: South Korea 2 India 3, Pakistan 6 China 2, Australia 2 Malaysia 1.
TODAY: South Korea v China (4.05pm), Australia v India (6.05pm), Malaysia v Egypt (8.05pm).
TOMORROW: Rest Day.
WEDNESDAY: Australia v Pakistan (4.05pm), China v Egypt (6.05pm), India v Malaysia (8.05pm).
Malaysia go down fighting to Australia
MALAYSIA came close to holding Australia, but bowed out 2-1 in the 19th Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh yesterday.
However, the match was not a total lost, as some of the young and inexperienced Malaysians earned their stripes with great determination and fighting spirit against the World No 1.
The Malaysian fans, numbering about 6,000, watched in awe as a transformed Malaysian side took on the Aussies in every department, and controlled the match with deft passes.
However, their hearts sank when Australia won their first penalty corner in the second minute, and Christopher Ciriello made it count with a deft push.
But the Malaysian players pushed even harder and after an impresive run from the midfield, won their first penalty corner in the fourth minute. Amin Rahim pushed low to Azlan Misron on his left, and the Perak-born slapped in the equaliser.
And for the rest of the half, Malaysia had to defend a wave of Aussie attacks, and mounted counter-attacks when presented with a an opportunity.
And with 30 seconds on the firtsh half clock, a super run from Faizal Saari ended with him making a cross which was connected into goal by Hafifihafiz Hanafi and there was a wild celebration from the Malaysian players, but umpire Warren McCully blew otherwise, and poured cold water on the attempt.
Australia took a robust approach in the second half, and Kieren Govers received the green in the 43rd, and sat out for two minutes, and then Brent Dancer was sent off on a yellow card offence in the 48th minute.
However, an opportunist run from Matt Gohdes in the 59th minute, which saw the Malaysian defense flat-footed for the first time in the match, beat goalkeeper S. Kumar and Australia were in the lead again.
To their credit, Malaysia pressed hard for the equaliser again, and with four minutes on the clock, Azlan Misron and Faizal Saari's combination troubled the Aussies but their goalkeeper Meadows saved all their attempts.
Malaysia won a penalty corner with 40 seconds remaining on the clock, but their set-piece went wild, and Australia looked relieved as they left the pitch.
Meanwhile, defending champions India beat a jaded South Korean side 3-2, after the Asian champions could only score two goals off the 11 penalty corners and numerous sitters that came their way.
The India goals were scored by Arjun Halappa (10th), Tushar Khandker (45th) and Shivendra Singh (60th)
Nam Hyun Woo scored both the Korean goals off penalty corner attempts in the 13th and 70th minutes.
In another match, Pakistan hammered China 6-2 with the bulk of the goals coming in a second half blitz.
Pakistan got their goals off Imran Muhammad (17th), Haseem Khan (30th, 42nd), Mohammed Zubair (45th, 47th) and Muhammad Rizwan (61st).
The China goals were scored by Yu Yang (18th) and Sun Long (40th).
However, the match was not a total lost, as some of the young and inexperienced Malaysians earned their stripes with great determination and fighting spirit against the World No 1.
The Malaysian fans, numbering about 6,000, watched in awe as a transformed Malaysian side took on the Aussies in every department, and controlled the match with deft passes.
However, their hearts sank when Australia won their first penalty corner in the second minute, and Christopher Ciriello made it count with a deft push.
But the Malaysian players pushed even harder and after an impresive run from the midfield, won their first penalty corner in the fourth minute. Amin Rahim pushed low to Azlan Misron on his left, and the Perak-born slapped in the equaliser.
And for the rest of the half, Malaysia had to defend a wave of Aussie attacks, and mounted counter-attacks when presented with a an opportunity.
And with 30 seconds on the firtsh half clock, a super run from Faizal Saari ended with him making a cross which was connected into goal by Hafifihafiz Hanafi and there was a wild celebration from the Malaysian players, but umpire Warren McCully blew otherwise, and poured cold water on the attempt.
Australia took a robust approach in the second half, and Kieren Govers received the green in the 43rd, and sat out for two minutes, and then Brent Dancer was sent off on a yellow card offence in the 48th minute.
However, an opportunist run from Matt Gohdes in the 59th minute, which saw the Malaysian defense flat-footed for the first time in the match, beat goalkeeper S. Kumar and Australia were in the lead again.
To their credit, Malaysia pressed hard for the equaliser again, and with four minutes on the clock, Azlan Misron and Faizal Saari's combination troubled the Aussies but their goalkeeper Meadows saved all their attempts.
Malaysia won a penalty corner with 40 seconds remaining on the clock, but their set-piece went wild, and Australia looked relieved as they left the pitch.
Meanwhile, defending champions India beat a jaded South Korean side 3-2, after the Asian champions could only score two goals off the 11 penalty corners and numerous sitters that came their way.
The India goals were scored by Arjun Halappa (10th), Tushar Khandker (45th) and Shivendra Singh (60th)
Nam Hyun Woo scored both the Korean goals off penalty corner attempts in the 13th and 70th minutes.
In another match, Pakistan hammered China 6-2 with the bulk of the goals coming in a second half blitz.
Pakistan got their goals off Imran Muhammad (17th), Haseem Khan (30th, 42nd), Mohammed Zubair (45th, 47th) and Muhammad Rizwan (61st).
The China goals were scored by Yu Yang (18th) and Sun Long (40th).
Half-time: Malaysia 1 Australia 1
The Malaysian fans, numbering about 6,000, watched in awe as a
transformed Malaysian side took on the Aussies in every department, and
controlled the match with deft passes.
However, their hearts sank when Australia won their first penalty corner
in the second minute, and Christopher Ciriello made it count with a deft
push.
But the Malaysian players pushed even harder and after an impresive
run from the midfield, won their first penalty corner in the fourth minute.
Amin Rahim pushed low to Azlan Misron on his left, and the Perak-born
slapped in the equaliser.
Malaysia received another chance in the 19th minute, but this time, the
penalty corner push taken by Amin found the stick of Faizal Saari but
Australian goalkeeper Ross Meadows palmed it away.
And for the rest of the half, Malaysia had to defend a wave of Aussie
attacks, and mounted counter-attacks when presented with a an
opportunity.
And with 30 seconds on the clock, a super run from Faizal Saari ended
with him making a cross which was connected into goal by Hafifihafiz
Hanafi and there was a wild celebration from the Malaysian players, but
umpire Warren McCully blew otherwise, and poured cold water on the
attempt.
transformed Malaysian side took on the Aussies in every department, and
controlled the match with deft passes.
However, their hearts sank when Australia won their first penalty corner
in the second minute, and Christopher Ciriello made it count with a deft
push.
But the Malaysian players pushed even harder and after an impresive
run from the midfield, won their first penalty corner in the fourth minute.
Amin Rahim pushed low to Azlan Misron on his left, and the Perak-born
slapped in the equaliser.
Malaysia received another chance in the 19th minute, but this time, the
penalty corner push taken by Amin found the stick of Faizal Saari but
Australian goalkeeper Ross Meadows palmed it away.
And for the rest of the half, Malaysia had to defend a wave of Aussie
attacks, and mounted counter-attacks when presented with a an
opportunity.
And with 30 seconds on the clock, a super run from Faizal Saari ended
with him making a cross which was connected into goal by Hafifihafiz
Hanafi and there was a wild celebration from the Malaysian players, but
umpire Warren McCully blew otherwise, and poured cold water on the
attempt.
Pakistan hit a sixer
By Azlanshahcup.com
Pakistan bounced back from their defeat against India by defeating China 6-2 at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup today.
It was the first win for Pakistan, after they came back to draw against Malaysia and lost 4-2 to India.
It was a much improved performance from the Pakistanis as they made use of the chances that came their way while the Chinese were left bewildered as to what hit them.
The win gives Pakistan four points from three matches and they are making a late charge towards a place in the top four of the tournament.
Pakistan opened scoring in the 15th minute via skipper Muhamad Imran who converted their first penalty corner. But China hit back right away, as Yu Yang finished off a move from the left flank.
In the 29th minute, Pakistan went ahead yet again through Abdul Haseem Khan who kept his cool, collecting a cross from Zubair Mohamad and finishing clinically to put them 2-1 ahead.
China forced a penalty corner in the dying seconds of the first half but could not find the equalizer. However it took China only five minutes after resumption to make the scores level when Sun Long converted a penalty stroke.
Undeterred, Pakistan hit a purple patch, and in five minutes scored three goals to take control of the match.
In the 43rd minute Haseem Khan deflected in a cross from the right and it was hotly disputed by the Chinese players but umpire Kim Jong Wan of Korea, after consulting fellow umpire R. Anbanathan, stuck to his decision.
And before the Chinese could take stock of the situation, Pakistan doubled their advantage, this time it was Muhamad Zubair who scored in the 46th minute.
Two minutes later Zubair made it 5-2 and Muhamad Rizwan’s deflection off a penalty corner in the 62nd minute put Pakistan 6-2 ahead.
Pakistan bounced back from their defeat against India by defeating China 6-2 at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup today.
It was the first win for Pakistan, after they came back to draw against Malaysia and lost 4-2 to India.
It was a much improved performance from the Pakistanis as they made use of the chances that came their way while the Chinese were left bewildered as to what hit them.
The win gives Pakistan four points from three matches and they are making a late charge towards a place in the top four of the tournament.
Pakistan opened scoring in the 15th minute via skipper Muhamad Imran who converted their first penalty corner. But China hit back right away, as Yu Yang finished off a move from the left flank.
In the 29th minute, Pakistan went ahead yet again through Abdul Haseem Khan who kept his cool, collecting a cross from Zubair Mohamad and finishing clinically to put them 2-1 ahead.
China forced a penalty corner in the dying seconds of the first half but could not find the equalizer. However it took China only five minutes after resumption to make the scores level when Sun Long converted a penalty stroke.
Undeterred, Pakistan hit a purple patch, and in five minutes scored three goals to take control of the match.
In the 43rd minute Haseem Khan deflected in a cross from the right and it was hotly disputed by the Chinese players but umpire Kim Jong Wan of Korea, after consulting fellow umpire R. Anbanathan, stuck to his decision.
And before the Chinese could take stock of the situation, Pakistan doubled their advantage, this time it was Muhamad Zubair who scored in the 46th minute.
Two minutes later Zubair made it 5-2 and Muhamad Rizwan’s deflection off a penalty corner in the 62nd minute put Pakistan 6-2 ahead.
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