Azlan Shah Cup: A draw for our men
Malaysia lose the lead twice in draw with New Zealand
IPOH: Malaysia had the lead twice. Yet, they ended up drawing 3-3 against defending champions New Zealand in their opening match of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament.
The world No. 8 New Zealanders were in control of the match, but were let down by their poor penalty corner executions.
They had 11 attempts and scored from just one. Malaysia had three attempts and converted two.
But Malaysia also have rookie goalkeeper Mohd Hafizuddin Othman to thank for keeping them in the game. He was rightly named manof-the-match.
Hafizuddin was called into action twice in the first five minutes when the Kiwis earned two penalty corners.
Although the Kiwis were in command, it was Malaysia who took the lead through Mohd Firhan Azhaari in the 15th minute.
Meor Mohd Azuan Hassan ran off with the ball at the 50-metre line and crossed to the unmarked Firhan to slot past goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex.
Nick Wilson, playing his 150th match for New Zealand, equalised in the 22nd minute with a superb solo goal – beating four players in the D before firing past Hafizuddin.
Wilson was on target again in the 34th minute, with a similar move, to give his team a 2-1 lead.
Ten minutes later, Malaysia made it 2-2 when skipper Mohd Razie Rahim scored with a hefty drag flick off their second penalty corner.
Malaysia went ahead for the second time in the 48th minute when they gained their third penalty corner. This time, Razie, instead of going for goal, passed it to Mohd Shahril Saabah, who beat the Kiwi defence with a low flick to the right.
The Kiwis then laid siege on Malaysia’s goal. They earned six penalty corners in a row in the 53rd minute. Finally, their 11th attempt bore fruit, with skipper Simon Child slotting home to make it 3-3.
National coach Stephen van Huizen was happy with the point.
“We did well ... it was a good all-round effort. The three players who had fever over the last two days – Firhan, Shahril and Razie – played a good game,” he said.
“We let in two soft goals and that’s something we need to look at. The Kiwis gave us a good fight and this is the kind of match we’re looking for.
“We will be ready to face Japan tomorrow (today).”
New Zealand coach Colin Batch felt that they were the better side.
“We had more control of the match. Yes, the goal scoring was not that good although I thought we could have won by a few more goals. I don’t think the draw was a fair reflection of the game ... we were clearly better.”