IPOH: Malaysia staged a stunning fightback from two goals down to
beat last year’s runners-up Pakistan 3-2 in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup at
the Azlan Shah Stadium yesterday.
Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim was the hero, scoring the winning goal off a penalty corner in the 69th minute. It was Malaysia’s first win in four matches after draws against South Korea (1-1) and Britain (3-3) and a 3-2 loss to India. It was Pakistan’s third defeat in four matches.
Pakistan stormed to an early 2-0 lead with goals from Muhammad Umar Bhutta in the fourth and Shafqat Rasool in the 12th minute.
That
hurts: Malaysia’s Abdullah Shahrun Nabil falls during their Sultan
Azlan Shah Cup match against Pakistan yesterday. — RONNIE CHIN / The
Star
But Malaysia battled back through Amir Farid Ahmad Fuzi (35th), Faizal Saari (47th) and Razie a minute from time.
The national team made silly errors in defence in the first 12 minutes just like they did against India on Monday and were duly punished. Zubair Muhammad’s through pass from outside the semi-circle found the unmarked Muhammad Umar who easily beat goalkeeper S. Kumar.
Eight minutes later, the unmarked Shafqat Rasool collected a long pass from Fareed Ahmed from the right to score a brilliant reverse stick goal.
Malaysia earned a penalty corner in the 16th minute but Mohd Amin Rahim’s flick was blocked by defender Muhammad Irfan.
Two minutes later, Mohd Shahrun Nabil had a chance to score but his reverse stick strike was saved by Pakistan goalkeeper Imran Shah. Pakistan earned a second penalty corner in the 20th minute but Kumar made a double save, first stopping Sohail Abbas’ flick, which bounced off his pads, and then Fareed’s powerful hit from close range.
After several close attempts, Malaysia finally scored in the 35th minute.
Pakistan defender Rashid Mehmood’s poor clearance found Amir Farid Ahmad Fuzi, who flicked the ball into the open goal from close range. Malaysia were on level terms in the 47th minute when Faizal made a solo run from the 25-metre mark before firing home. It was his fourth goal in four matches.
But a minute later Faizal was shown the yellow card by Ghana umpire Richmod Attipoe for an infringement in the D.
Pakistan had a chance to regain the lead in the 61st minute off a penalty corner but Sohail’s flick went wide.
Malaysia counter-attacked in the very next minute but Tengku Ahmad’s deflection was saved by defender Muhammed Irfan on the line. Malaysia earned another penalty corner in the 64th minute but Faizal’s flick was pushed out by keeper Imran Shah.
Malaysia kept up the pressure and earned another penalty corner in the 69th minute. This time, Razie’s flick sailed past goalkeeper Imran Shah to give Malaysia a well-deserved win.
National coach Tai Beng Hai praised his boys for coming back from two goals down to beat Pakistan.
“It’s our first win over Pakistan in five years. We last beat them in the same tournament in 2007, which we also won 3-2,” he said.
“We were fortunate that we made use of our chances to score today. It’s a good morale boosting win.”
Malaysia take on New Zealand today and Argentina on Saturday.
THE STAR
Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim was the hero, scoring the winning goal off a penalty corner in the 69th minute. It was Malaysia’s first win in four matches after draws against South Korea (1-1) and Britain (3-3) and a 3-2 loss to India. It was Pakistan’s third defeat in four matches.
Pakistan stormed to an early 2-0 lead with goals from Muhammad Umar Bhutta in the fourth and Shafqat Rasool in the 12th minute.
That
hurts: Malaysia’s Abdullah Shahrun Nabil falls during their Sultan
Azlan Shah Cup match against Pakistan yesterday. — RONNIE CHIN / The
StarThe national team made silly errors in defence in the first 12 minutes just like they did against India on Monday and were duly punished. Zubair Muhammad’s through pass from outside the semi-circle found the unmarked Muhammad Umar who easily beat goalkeeper S. Kumar.
Eight minutes later, the unmarked Shafqat Rasool collected a long pass from Fareed Ahmed from the right to score a brilliant reverse stick goal.
Malaysia earned a penalty corner in the 16th minute but Mohd Amin Rahim’s flick was blocked by defender Muhammad Irfan.
Two minutes later, Mohd Shahrun Nabil had a chance to score but his reverse stick strike was saved by Pakistan goalkeeper Imran Shah. Pakistan earned a second penalty corner in the 20th minute but Kumar made a double save, first stopping Sohail Abbas’ flick, which bounced off his pads, and then Fareed’s powerful hit from close range.
Pakistan defender Rashid Mehmood’s poor clearance found Amir Farid Ahmad Fuzi, who flicked the ball into the open goal from close range. Malaysia were on level terms in the 47th minute when Faizal made a solo run from the 25-metre mark before firing home. It was his fourth goal in four matches.
But a minute later Faizal was shown the yellow card by Ghana umpire Richmod Attipoe for an infringement in the D.
Pakistan had a chance to regain the lead in the 61st minute off a penalty corner but Sohail’s flick went wide.
Malaysia counter-attacked in the very next minute but Tengku Ahmad’s deflection was saved by defender Muhammed Irfan on the line. Malaysia earned another penalty corner in the 64th minute but Faizal’s flick was pushed out by keeper Imran Shah.
Malaysia kept up the pressure and earned another penalty corner in the 69th minute. This time, Razie’s flick sailed past goalkeeper Imran Shah to give Malaysia a well-deserved win.
National coach Tai Beng Hai praised his boys for coming back from two goals down to beat Pakistan.
“It’s our first win over Pakistan in five years. We last beat them in the same tournament in 2007, which we also won 3-2,” he said.
“We were fortunate that we made use of our chances to score today. It’s a good morale boosting win.”
Malaysia take on New Zealand today and Argentina on Saturday.
THE STAR
nice blog pics
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