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17-05 Combative Malaysians run out of steam

2010-05-17 21:05:00

Malaysia blew hot and cold en route to losing 3-5 to world champions Australia and settling for fourth place in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament here yesterday.

The Malaysians were full of fight in the first half but could not sustain the pace after the break. This was their second loss to the Aussies, who also won their preliminary round match 2-1.

Malaysia got off to a good start when Hafifihafiz Hanafi scored off a quick counter attack in the 14th minute.

But Australia kept up their relentless assault on the Malaysian goalmouth, earning four penalty corners in the first half.

Their pressure paid off when, with just a minute to go before the break, Mathew Swann equalised for Australia.

Australia took the initiative in the second half to take the lead in the 43rd minute through Russell Ford.

Five minutes later, Malaysia drew level when Mohd Amin Rahim scored off the team's first penalty corner.

It was his sixth goal of the tournament.

In the 50th minute, Australia were back in front through Kieran Govers. Then, four minutes later Australia made it 4-2 through Christopher Ciriello.

And when Grant Schubert made it 5-2 in the 65th minute, it was all over for Malaysia, although Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin managed to reduce the deficit in the last minute with a field goal. Earlier, Pakistan finished fifth when they beat China 6-5 on penalty strokes after the two teams were level at 1-1 at the end of regulation and extra time. The game was delayed for over two hours due to a downpour.

Pakistan had whipped China 6-2 in the preliminary rounds.

China took the lead through Na Yubo in the 24th minute but Shafqat Rasool equalised in the 43rd minute to force extra time.

Source The Star