MELTDOWN
MHC president wants players to buck up
AJITPAL SINGH
The top five teams in London will qualify automatically for next year’s World Cup in India.
However, Malaysia could still make the World Cup by just reaching the quarter-finals as the number of qualification spots may increase to eight depending on the results in the respective continental championships later this year.
The Malaysians did well to bounce back from two goals down to draw level in the first half but they lost steam after the breather for England to seal a huge victory.
Barry Middleton (fifth, 34th), Sam Ward (32nd and 51st) and Mark Gleghorne (39th and 54th) scored a brace each while Chris Griffiths netted the other goal in the eighth minute.
Malaysia replied through Faizal Saari in the 19th and 57th minutes, and Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin in the 28th minute.
The national team converted one of five penalty corners while England netted two goals from three penalty corners.
“We knew it would be near impossible to beat Argentina and World No 7 England but the huge defeat to the latter was unexpected. Our boys did well in the first half in both matches but they could not sustain the pace and consistency after the break,” Subahan told Timesport yesterday.
“I think it was also not easy playing two top teams in less than 24 hours. It was tiring against England who had a day off before the match. Our team collapsed in terms of stamina in the second half. Tiredness was one factor for the heavy defeat.
“But the manner we lost the match is worrying. I had a chat with Stephen and our technical director Terry Walsh about it and we all agreed that something must be done to improve our game.
“Before the tournament, we planned our strategies accordingly. The focus was to beat China to qualify for the quarter-finals.
“However, we now need to beat both South Korea and China to be in the safe zone considering that the margin of defeats in the opening two matches.”
Subahan said the players need to step up and make the country proud in the remaining matches.
“They need to raise the occasion. They are in London to qualify for the World Cup and I hope they will achieve the target set by MHC.
“The confederation have provided the best for the players in terms of exposure and benefits. It now boils down to the boys on whether they want to play in the World Cup.
“But as president, I am optimistic that we can qualify. There is no reason why we cannot beat Korea tomorrow. If China can beat the Koreans 5-2 then we should be able to do so too.
“The hockey fraternity should not be alarmed with the opening two defeats. I believe in my players and I am confident they will turn the odds and achieve all targets,” Subahan added.
China 5 S Korea 2; England 7 Malaysia 3.
Canada 0 India 3, Scotland 0 Netherlands 3, Pakistan 1 India 7.
South Korea v Malaysia (Tuesday, Live, 1am, CH831/810), Argentina v China (3am).
Scotland v Pakistan (7pm), Netherlands v Canada 9pm).
China v Malaysia (Wednesday, Live, 1am, CH831/810), England v South Korea (3am).
Scotland v Canada (7pm), India v Netherlands (9pm).