Azlan Shah Cup: From silver to wood..

SILVER medallists Malaysia ended as wooden spoonist when they were beaten 3-1 By Canada in a penalty shoot-out in the 24th Edition of the Azlan Shah Cup yesterday.

  There was not much of change in attitude from the pool matches, as they kept letting in easy goals after taking hard-fought leads and the match ended 4-4 and had to be decided by shoot-out. And from back-to-back silver medals in 2014 and 2015, Malaysia ended last.

  In the shoot-out, Firhan Ashaari, Haziq Samsul and Nabil Fiqri missed their attempts, with the only goal coming from Faizal Saari.

  For the record, the last time Malaysia finished last was in 2011, when seven teams competed.

  Malaysian coach Tai Beng Hai did not turn up for the Press Conference, and manager Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad sat on the hot seat.

  "Even though it is disheartening to finish last, I believe its a blessing because after a high in Singapore, we were brought down to earth weeks before the Olympic qualifier in Belgium," said Nur Azmi.

  Malaysia were champions in the World League Round Two in Singapore, by whitewashing teams like Mexico and Singapore.

  "We need a hard re-look at the boys, and rectify fast our weaknesses especially in defense. If we can'e even beat Canada (ranked 14) we are going to be in trouble if we go to Belgium with this same attitude," Nur Azmi.

  The Belgium Olympic Qualifier is on June 20 to July 5, where Malaysia will have to beat the likes of Belgium, Great Britain, Ireland and China in Group B. And in the quarter-finals, they are likey to face India, Pakistan or even Australia.

  Yesterday, Malaysia played under pouring rain, but still, the stadium was half-filled when the match started at 3.40pm.

  Razie Rahim ignited the fire with a second minute penalty corner, but Canada equalised via Gabriel Ho-Garcia off a field attempt in the 16th minute.

  But three minutes later, Faizal Saari perfected a penalty corner to give Malaysia the lead again, and Firhan Ashaari made it 3-1 in the 23rd minute when he slotted home a field goal.

  It continued raining, but a determined Canada kept pushing forward and were rewarded when Ho-Garcia slotted home his second and the score stood at 3-2 at half-time.

  And three minutes into the half-time, 33rd minute, Ho-Garcia scored another field goal for a hat-trick and Malaysia looked like they might lose it.

  Faizal then got his brace in the 37th minute, and Malaysia were back in command at 4-3. But Matthew Sarmento again gave Canada a life-line in the 49th with a field attempt to make it 4-4.

  Malaysia had beaten Canada 4-1 in their last pool match on Saturday: 

  RESULTS: Final -- Australia 2 New Zealand 2 (NZ win shoot-out 3-1); Third-Fourth: India 2 South Korea 2 (India win shoot-out 4-1); Fifth-Sixth: Malaysia 4 Canada 4 (Canada win shoot-out 3-1).

Azlan Shah Cup: First all-Oceania final

THE Azlan Shah Cup will be an all-Oceania final or the first time in 24 Editions when world champions Australia meet their neighbours New Zealand in Ipoh today.
  New Zealand will be playing in only their second final today, and their only gold medal was in 2012. Australia have a better pedigree in the Azlan Shah Cup as they will be gunning for their ninth title.
  The Kiwis held South Korea to a 3-3 draw in a thriller yesterday, and qualified with three wins, one draw and one defeat.
  And Malaysia knew they were doomed to play in the fifth-sixth bracket after the first match between India and Australia produced an upset. India beat Australia 4-2 with a hat-trick from Chandanda Thimmaiah (23rd, 32nd, 69th) while V. Raghunath (first) scored the other.
  Australia's goals were scored by Daniel Beale (14th) and Matt Gohdes (53rd).
  The win will see India play South Korea for the bronze medal.
  "We treated this match like a semi-final, ahead of tomorrow's (Sunday) final but things did not go as planned. But you're bound to have a bad match in any tournament, and I'm glad it was today and not in the final," said Australian coach Graham Reid.
  India coach Paul van Ass was elated: "Like I said we played well in every match, except for Malaysia, but the results were not there because we were not sharp in the semi-circle. And this result (Australia win) shows that we are capable to take on the best."
   Kookaburras captain Mark Knowles reached a milestone of 250 caps yesterday. He's a three-time Olympian with one gold and two bronze medals under his belt. He also helped Australia win two World Cups, and was the 2014 International Player of the Year.
  New Zealand coach Colin Batch predicted a tough final: "Australia lost to India but that does not mean a thing to our game against them in the final. We know its going to be tough, but we have our plans, and we are ready to face them."
  As for Malaysia, their match against Canada yesterday was purely academic as both sides will meet again today for the fifth-sixth classification. Malaysia beat Canada 4-1 yesterday with goals from Haziq Samsul (fifth, 43rd), Nabil Fiqri (sixth) and Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin (38th).
  The Canada consolation was scored by Matthew Sarmento (40th).
   

STANDINGS

                   P  W   D L  F  A  Pts
AUSTRALIA          5  4   0 1  20 9   12
N ZEALAND          5  3   1 1  15 9   10
S KOREA            5  2   2 1  13 13  8
INDIA              5  2   1 2  14 12  7
MALAYSIA           5  2   0 3  13 13  6
CANADA             5  0   0 5  5  24  0

  RESULTS: Australia 2 India 4, South Korea 3 New Zealand 3, Malaysia 4 Canada 1.
  SUNDAY: Final -- Australia v New Zealand (8.45pm); Third-Fourth: India v South Korea (6.10pm); Fifth-Sixth: Malaysia v Canada (3.40pm).

Malaysia only half-baked...

MALAYSIA only have nine more weeks left to get their act ready before the World League Semi-finals begins in Antwerp, Belgium, on June 20 to July 5.
  Antwerp is the last door for Malaysia to play in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, a feat which was last achieved in Sydney 2000.
  The World League format is very friendly, where three slots are available to Rio, but with double qualifications, the fifth placing in Belgium is just as valuable as the gold medal.
  Malaysia are in Group B with Great Britain, Belgium, Ireland and China. In Group A are Australia, India, Pakistan, Poland and France.
  And judging from Malaysia's performance at the ongoing Azlan, coach Tai Beng Hai has a team which is only 60 per cent ready to make a charge into the last four in Belgium.
   Beng Hai admitted that fitness and formation was still not ready yet: "The Azlan Shah Cup has seen Malaysia start slow in two matches, but then again, the team has shown fighting spirit to come back from two goals down and play good hockey.
  "However, we need to improve a little on the fitness as well as our defense formation," said Beng Hai.
  Malaysia went down 0-2 to New Zealand but clawed back to 2-2, before collapsing 4-2. Next were Australia, and after a gallant fight, the World No 1 could only beat Malaysia 3-2.
  India were shocked 3-2 by Malaysia, while South Korea took a 2-0 lead, but Malaysia fought back to level the score only to lose 3-2.
  "You can see from the scoreline that we are not far off form higher ranked teams, but we need to cut off the mistakes at the back, to be more consistent," said Beng Hai.
  Three players have not been performing up to the mark in this tournament, and Azlan Misron, Ahmad Kazamirul and Shukri Mutalib only have nine weeks to improve their attitude.
  All three are experienced players, with Azlan the most cappped Malaysian right now, and he would be earning his 342nd cap against Canada today. But he has had horrible outings in his namesake tournament, while Kazamirul is too robust and makes too many mistakes when defending in his own semi-circle.
  As for Shukri, he missed the Australian Tour due to studies, and has been almost invincible in the last three matches.
  In the temper test, Faizal Shaari, Razie Rahim and Firhan Ashari have failed miserably, and should take their former coach K. Dharmaraj's advise seriously.
  "In any high-stake international tournament, the opponents will try to make you lose your temper by poking from behind, pushing and elbowing off the ball and even saying nasty things near your ear. But a good player will never retaliate physically or verbally because that could earn him a card and when he's sitting in the sin bin, the team suffers and could even lose the match due to less members on the pitch.
  "The right attitude is to retaliate by playing even better hockey when provoked, and that is what our players need to learn from this tournament and take it to Belgium," said Dharmaraj, who is now the National Sports Council development coach.
  Today Malaysia play Canada in a must-win situation, and hope that Australia beat India, to qualify for the bronze battle.
  Australia have already checked into the final, and their opponents would either be New Zealand or South Korea. The Kiwis only need a draw, while Korea a win to play in the final.
  Australia, for the record, will be gunning for their ninth straight Azlan Shah Cup on Sunday. 
  
STANDINGS

                   P  W   D L  F  A  Pts
AUSTRALIA          4  4   0 0  18 5   12
N ZEALAND          4  3   0 1  12 6   9
S KOREA            4  2   1 1  10 10  7
INDIA              4  1   1 2  10 10  4
MALAYSIA           4  1   0 3  9  12  3
CANADA             4  0   0 4  4  20  0

  April 10: REST DAY.
  April 11: Australia v India (4pm), South Korea v New Zealand (6pm), Malaysia v Canada (8pm).

Malaysia beaten in first 2quarters..

MALAYSIA only played hockey in the second quarter, and were punished when they lost 3-2 to South Korea in Ipoh yesterday.
  Now, they must beat Canada on Saturday, and hope that Australia beat India to play in the third-fourth classification.
  Right after the Negaraku was sung, and even before the crowd could settle down on their seats, the Malaysian defense cracked when Lee Jung Jun scored off a third minute field attempt.
  The first quarter was a tensed affair for Malaysia as Korea camped in the hosts semi-circle, and Malaysia relied on counter-attacks. Korea had two penalty corners, and the first was saved by Baljit Singh, while Baljit and goalkeeper S. Kumar made gallant saved to stop the second attempt.
  Korea piled more misery when in the 29th minute Lee Nam Young's top-of-the semi-circle caught Kumar wrong footed, as his view was blocked by defender Azlan Misron, and Korea walked into the dressing room for a well-deserved half-time water break.
  Malaysia need a dressing down during the break, as they played their worse game of the tournament thus far.
  Strikers Faizal Saari, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin and Firhan Ashaari played defensive, and when they went up to attack, they lost the ball easily and had to back-pedal, burning energy for no reason.
  Malaysian coach Tai Beng Hai must have trashed his charges, as after the re-start, they won the first penalty corner in the 32nd minute and Faizal's powerful drive beat goalkeeper Kim Jaeh Yeon with ease.
  It was match-on for Malaysia after that spectacular goal.
  Cheered on by a capacity crowd, Malaysia went on the attack and won their second penalty corner and this time Razie Rahim's drive went crashing into the net for a 34th minute 2-2 equaliser.
  But sloppy defending crept in again, and Kim Young Jin gave Korea the lead again off a soft field attempt one minute later.
  There was plenty of effort put in by the men in yellow, but the clock ran out on them as they went looking for the equaliser.
  Meanwhile, Australia qualified for the final with a game in hand when they beat New Zealand 3-1. Australia play India in the last pool match on Saturday, and it will be a warm-up before they make an attempt for a ninth Azlan Shah Cup title.
  New Zealand play South Korea and still have a chance to join their neighbours in the Sunday final.
  Dylan Wotherspoon (17th), Jamie Dwyer (24th) and Jeremy Hayward (28th) scored for Australia while Andy Hayward (32nd) scored the Kiwi consolation.
  
  

STANDINGS

                   P  W   D L  F  A  Pts
AUSTRALIA          4  4   0 0  18 5   12
N ZEALAND          4  3   0 1  12 6   9
S KOREA            4  2   1 1  10 10  7
INDIA              4  1   1 2  10 10  4
MALAYSIA           4  1   0 3  9  12  3
CANADA             4  0   0 4  4  20  0

  RESULTS: India 5 Canada 3, New Zealand 1 Australia 3, Malaysia 2 South Korea 3.
  April 10: REST DAY.
  April 11: Australia v India (4pm), South Korea v New Zealand (6pm), Malaysia v Canada (8pm).

Malaysia 3 India 2

MALAYSIA beat Asian Games champions India 3-2 in a thrilling Azlan Shah Cup match in Ipoh yesterday, to keep their hopes alive of playing in the final.
  Coach Tai Beng Hai's men played well in patches, and took the lead twice only to give India back a life-line on both occassions, but Shahrun Nabil nailed a late winner in the 58th minute and now, Malaysia must beat South Korea today, and Canada on Saturday for an outside shot at playing in the final.
  The game was delayed by an hour due to torrential rain, and after the negaraku, Malaysian goalkeeper S. Kumar @Spiderman was rewarded for his 250th international appearance.
  Malaysia were ontop of India in the first quarter, but failed to break the deadlock. 
  Faizal Saari, who skipped two months of training, missed a sitter in the opening minutes of the match, but made up with a penalty corner goal.
  Baljit Singh dribbled three India players and made a reverse stick pass to Faizal who made a darting run into the semi-circle but failed to shoot straight. For the record, Faizal scored 12 goals in the World League Round Two in Singapore but scored his first in three matches yesterday.
  It was a 17th minute penalty corner, Malaysia's first, and Faizal's drag flick almost tore the netting.
  But three minutes later, India won their first penalty corner and a low push by Rupinder Singh beat the postman for the equaliser, and the score remained until the half-time break.
  After the re-start, Malaysia claimed the lead again when a move from Firhan Ashari found unmarked Haziq Samsul who tucked in from close range in the 35th minute for 2-1.
  Malaysia made too many mistakes in the fourth quarter and gave away easy penalty cornees and in the 50th minute, India won their fifth and Rupinder equalised with a powerful drive.
  Shahrun Nabil had the last say in the 58th minute, when he scored a classic goal to give Malaysia a well deserved win.
  Malaysia play South Korea today, but Korean coach Shin Seok Kyo failed to show up for the press conference .. for the second time in a row.
  Shin was warned by the tournament director for missing the press conference after the Canada match on Monday, but he still refused to show up for interview yesterday.
   New Zealand and Australia have maximum points after three matches, and barring upsets in the remaining two matches, the Oceania neighbours will play in the final on Sunday.
  Yesterday, the Kiwis trashed Canada 5-0, while Australia easily beat South Korea 5-2 with a hat-trick from Jamie Dwyer, who helped the Aussies win their second consecutive World Cup title last year.
  Today, Australia and New Zealand clash and a draw will see them play in the final. Australia have India as their final opponents, while New Zealand face South Korea on Saturday.
  


STANDINGS


                   P  W   D L  F  A  Pts
AUSTRALIA          3  3   0 0  15 4   9
N ZEALAND          3  3   0 0  11 3   9
S KOREA               3  1   1 1  7  8   4
MALAYSIA           3  1   0 2  7  9   3
INDIA                    3  0   1 2  5  7   1
CANADA             3  0   0 3  1  15  0

  RESULTS: Canada 0 New Zealand 5, South Korea 2 Australia 5, Malaysia 3 India 2.
  April 9: India v Canada (4pm), New Zealand v Australia (6pm), Malaysia v South Korea (8pm).
  April 10: REST DAY.
  April 11: Australia v India (4pm), South Korea v New Zealand (6pm), Malaysia v Canada (8pm).