IPOH: India scored their second win in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
hockey tournament when they edged a fighting Malaysia 3-2 yesterday.
It was Malaysia’s first defeat in three matches. They drew 1-1 and 3-3 with South Korea and Britain respectively.
Malaysia created a number of chances in the first half but just could not score. They earned five penalty corners in the match and only managed to score from one.
Foiled:
India’s goalkeeper Chetri Bharat Kumar stops this goal attempt from
Malaysia’s Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin during their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
match Monday. — SAIFUL BAHRI / The Star
Malaysia,
cheered by 10,000 fans, attacked from the start and Tengku Ahmad
Tajuddin came close in the second minute but his reverse stick attempt
was stopped by India’s goalkeeper Chetri Bharat Kumar.
Three minutes later Malaysia earned their first penalty corner but Faizal Saari, who scored three goals in the first two matches, failed to connect the ball off a rebound from goalkeeper Chetri’s pads.
And then, in a two-minute spell, India scored twice.
In the ninth minute, Danish Mujtaba easily flicked the ball from the semi-circle into goal off a pass from Sarvanjit Singh.
Two minutes later India made it 2-0 off their first penalty corner. Shivendra Singh’s powerful hit from the top of the D could not be stopped by Malaysian goalkeeper S. Kumar.
The Malaysian players protested that the ball was hit from outside the D. Umpire Dan Barstow consulted South Korean umpire Kim Yong-soo but still blew the whistle for a goal.
Yuvraj Walmiki came close to increasing India’s lead in the 26th minute but his shot from the right went inches wide.
Four minutes later, Tengku Ahmad was put through by Faizal but his attempt was well saved by Chetri.
After the breather, Malaysia started off promisingly and managed to score their first penalty corner goal in three matches in the 39th minute.
Defender Mohd Amin Rahim’s low flick sailed past keeper Chetri.
However, India, increased their lead a minute later with a fast counter attack that led to Tushar Khandker scoring to make it 3-1.
Shivendra’s hit bounced off Kumar’s pads and fell for Tushar to smash the ball into goal.
Malaysia earned two penalty corners in a row in the 53rd minute but Amin failed to get it right.
Two minutes later, they received another penalty corner after Faizal was brought down just outside the semi-circle but Tengku Ahmad muffed the chance.
A fighting Malaysia reduced the deficit in the 59th minute when Mohd Fitri Saari, the younger brother of Faizal, scooped the ball into the top of the goal.
Malaysia kept up the pressure and earned their fifth penalty corner in the 62nd minute but they failed to convert.
Three minutes from time, India were awarded a penalty corner but Sardar Singh’s reverse stick attempt hit the cross bar.
THE STAR
It was Malaysia’s first defeat in three matches. They drew 1-1 and 3-3 with South Korea and Britain respectively.
Malaysia created a number of chances in the first half but just could not score. They earned five penalty corners in the match and only managed to score from one.
Foiled:
India’s goalkeeper Chetri Bharat Kumar stops this goal attempt from
Malaysia’s Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin during their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
match Monday. — SAIFUL BAHRI / The StarThree minutes later Malaysia earned their first penalty corner but Faizal Saari, who scored three goals in the first two matches, failed to connect the ball off a rebound from goalkeeper Chetri’s pads.
And then, in a two-minute spell, India scored twice.
In the ninth minute, Danish Mujtaba easily flicked the ball from the semi-circle into goal off a pass from Sarvanjit Singh.
Two minutes later India made it 2-0 off their first penalty corner. Shivendra Singh’s powerful hit from the top of the D could not be stopped by Malaysian goalkeeper S. Kumar.
The Malaysian players protested that the ball was hit from outside the D. Umpire Dan Barstow consulted South Korean umpire Kim Yong-soo but still blew the whistle for a goal.
Yuvraj Walmiki came close to increasing India’s lead in the 26th minute but his shot from the right went inches wide.
Four minutes later, Tengku Ahmad was put through by Faizal but his attempt was well saved by Chetri.
After the breather, Malaysia started off promisingly and managed to score their first penalty corner goal in three matches in the 39th minute.
Defender Mohd Amin Rahim’s low flick sailed past keeper Chetri.
However, India, increased their lead a minute later with a fast counter attack that led to Tushar Khandker scoring to make it 3-1.
Shivendra’s hit bounced off Kumar’s pads and fell for Tushar to smash the ball into goal.
Malaysia earned two penalty corners in a row in the 53rd minute but Amin failed to get it right.
Two minutes later, they received another penalty corner after Faizal was brought down just outside the semi-circle but Tengku Ahmad muffed the chance.
A fighting Malaysia reduced the deficit in the 59th minute when Mohd Fitri Saari, the younger brother of Faizal, scooped the ball into the top of the goal.
Malaysia kept up the pressure and earned their fifth penalty corner in the 62nd minute but they failed to convert.
Three minutes from time, India were awarded a penalty corner but Sardar Singh’s reverse stick attempt hit the cross bar.
THE STAR
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