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Sunday November 8, 2009

Malaysia squander two-goal lead against Austria

By S. RAMAGURU

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia blew a two-goal lead to end up with a 2-2 draw against Austria in the opening match of the World Cup qualifiers at the ILT Hockey Turf in Invercargill, New Zealand, yesterday.

The draw has dimmed Malaysia’s chances as they must now win their four remaining matches as only the winners of this competition will earn a ticket to the 2010 World Cup Finals in New Delhi in March.

On target: Azlan Misron scored Malaysia’s second goal.

With Malaysia’s rivals for the sole ticket to the Finals – hosts New Zealand and China – getting off to winning starts, our men will be under more pressure in their coming matches.

National interim coach Tai Beng Hai blamed their defeat on their failure to defend the lead and their defensive game in the second-half.

“This is not good when you allow a team to get back into the game. We should have held on or capitalised on the early lead. Their first goal in the second-half rattled our players and this allowed them to get the equaliser,” he said.

Malaysia got off to a grand start, going 2-0 up by the eighth minute.

Mohd Amin Rahim flicked home the first penalty corner in the sixth minute before Azlan Misron scored a field goal two minutes later to put Malaysia in total control.

The game, however, changed in the second-half the moment Manuel Grandits reduced the deficit for Austria with a field goal in the 54th minute. And just three minutes from time the Austrians broke Malaysian hearts with a penalty corner goal by Michael Korper.

Malaysia will play Wales today needing a win to get their qualifying campaign back on track.

“We are not out of the running for the final ... only that this result makes our task a little harder,” said Beng Hai.

“We have to beat Wales as well as win the next three matches after that. I saw Wales play and they are a bunch of fighters. They go all out for the ball and this attitude will make it hard for us.

“There is no other way but to go on the offensive tomorrow (today). No team in this tournament can be taken lightly.”

Monday is a rest day and the Malaysians face the Kiwis on Tuesday.

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