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Malaysia outplay S. Africa to reach Champions Challenge semis


Delightful double: Faizal Saari (front) fired a brace in Malaysia’s 4-1 win over South Africa in the Champions Challenge I hockey tournament in Quilmes, Argentina. Delightful double: Faizal Saari (front) fired a brace in Malaysia’s 4-1 win over South Africa in the Champions Challenge I hockey tournament in Quilmes, Argentina.

 
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia turned on the heat in the second half to outplay fancied South Africa 4-1 and qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions Challenge I hockey tournament in Quilmes, Argentina.

Yesterday Malaysia, who have now scored four goals in each of their four matches thus far, went ahead in the third minute with an Izwan Firdaus Ahmad Tajuddin field goal.

But it wasn’t until after the break that Malaysia came alive, scoring three goals in 19 minutes.
Diminutive forward Faizal Saari made it 2-0 off a penalty corner flick in the 38th minute.
Forward Tengku Ahmad Tajudin then made it 3-0 off a penalty corner setpiece in the 56th minute before Faizal got his second, and Malaysia’s fourth, a minute later.

South Africa scored a consolation goal off a penalty corner setpiece by skipper Austin Smith in the 63rd minute.

The win over world No. 12 South Africa could see Malaysia improving on their 13th ranking. In the group matches, Malaysia defeated Poland 4-0, South Korea 4-2 and Canada 4-2. Malaysia have conceded only five goals in four matches.

This is the second time that Malaysia have qualified for the semi-finals. The first was in Kuala Lumpur in 2001.

Malaysia will now play either South Korea or Japan in the semi-finals tomorrow.
Team manager George Koshy was delighted with the impressive win over South Africa.
“South Africa are a strong team but our boys played without fear.

“We surprised them by taking the early lead ... the goal really inspired the players to go for more,” George said in the telephone interview.

“The players have shown tremendous improvement in every match and I’m really happy with their performance and attitude.

“They are getting the fundamentals right ... they are in high spirits.
“Coach Paul Revington has transformed the team into match winners in just one month.”



THE STAR

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