FIRE GOING
Van Huizen wants his men to produce another shock
FABIAN PETER booked our spot in next year’s World Cup.
“Our next match will definitely be a tough one,” said Stephen, who watched his team go down 52 to Argentina in their opening group match last week.
Veteran defender Muhamad Razie Abdul Rahim said: “Our initial target was only to reach the semi-finals, but now that we are already here, we will try go one step further.’
On Thursday, Malaysia secured their World Cup berth after stunning Asian champions India 3-2 in the quarter-finals.
Stephen praised his players’ never-say-die attitude, as they fought hard to maintain the score until the final whistle.
“Our players played really well and what really matters now is that we are through to the Hockey World Cup.
“We lost the lead to India at one point, but the players gave their all to win it in the end.”
In the quarter-final match, Razie put Malaysia ahead in the 19th minute through a penalty corner, before striker Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Abdul Jalil doubled the lead just a minute after with a neat finish, deflecting Razie’s penalty corner into the net.
The lead, however, was cut short by Ramandeep Singh who levelled the score with two quick goals just before half time.
Razie, emerged as Malaysia’s hero when he stepped up to score the winning goal through another penalty corner in the 49th minute.