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Saturday November 21, 2009

Sabri’s golden goal puts Malaysia in the final

KUALA LUMPUR: Sabri Mohamed Rosli was the toast for Malaysia when he scored a golden goal to give the national team a 3-2 win over South Korea and a place in the final of the Under-18 Asia Cup hockey tournament in Myanmar yesterday.

The match went into extra time after both teams were tied at 2-2 in regulation time.

Sabri’s goal, in the sixth minute of extra time, ensured Malaysia a showdown against Pakistan in the final tomorrow.

Pakistan outplayed Japan 4-0 in the other semi-final.

Firhan Ashari gave Malaysia the lead in the 15th minute against South Korea, who then equalised in the 41st minute off a penalty stroke.

Malaysia again went ahead in the 50th minute off a Sabri’s penalty corner goal.

Again the Koreans hit back, this time with just 40 seconds of play remaining, to force the game into extra time.

Coach K. Dharmaraj praised his players for their commitment in the game.

“My boys played exceptionally well and made use of the chances well. I am happy with their performance and for giving the Koreans a run for their money,” Dharmaraj said in a telephone interview.

The winners of this tournament will qualify for the Youth Olympics in Singapore in August.

This is the second edition of the tournament.

In the first edition, in Ipoh in 2001, India beat Uzbekistan in the final while South Korea beat Malaysia for the bronze medal.

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