The Hindu : Malaysia records first win

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 07, 2004

Sport

Sport - Hockey

Malaysia records first win

By S. Thyagarajan

Belgium 2New Zealand 2

Malaysia 3Canada 2

Netherlands 2Spain 2

South Africa 6Poland 0

MADRID, MARCH 6. Malaysia survived some torrid moments before recording its first win in three matches against Canada in the pre-Olympic hockey tournament here on Saturday. Malaysia, which led 2-1 at half-time, won a close contest.

The Canadians, who were nippy and held territorial advantage, were dictating terms initially as the early goal by Wayne Fernandes from a penalty corner work out with Ravi Kalhon confirmed.

The Malaysians took quite a while to settle down but came back into the contest when Madzil Ikmar deflected a penalty corner hit by Kuhen for the equaliser.Close on half-time, Chua Boon Huat capitalised on a defence lapse to increase the lead which the Malaysians maintained till late in the second half.

Canada predictably increased the pace in the second half and forced as many as six penalty corners. Goalkeeper Kumar Subramaniam effected some good saves but Wayne Fernandes managed to slot in the equaliser.

Malaysia's match winner came about three minutes from time when a shot by Kuhen off a penalty corner struck Bindi Khuller in front of the goal. Amin converted the resultant penalty stroke.

Malaysia has three points from as many encounters, while Canada is yet to open its account.

Kiwis hold Belgium

Needless over-elaboration cost Belgium a victory against a complacent New Zealand. Trailing 1-2 at half-time, the Belgians dominated the exchanges, beating the Kiwi defence repeatedly. But inside the circle, they were a confused lot. At least two splendid openings were frittered away. The one by Philip Brule, who paved the way for the first goal, was heart-breaking for the Belgians who put everything they had into the match. However, in the final minute came the equaliser from Patrice Hussein, who had also scored the first goal.

Aiming for the third successive win, New Zealand struck first through Hayden Shaw from a penalty corner and Philip Burrows scored the next to give the team the lead again. But in the end, the Kiwis had to share points to take their tally to seven in three matches.

Spain rallies well

Spain rallied gallantly to draw with the Olympic champion, the Netherlands, in a tough encounter in Pool A on Friday evening.

Inexplicably sluggish in the first quarter, the Spaniards capitulated to the consistency of the left flank thrust, so splendidly shaped by the strapping Piet Hein Geeris. The Spanish defence almost caved in against the sustained pressure from the Dutch attack. The dominance was soon reflected in the lovely goal that Rob Reckers picked up from a shot by Geeris for which the goal-keeper Herrera only offered his pads.

When the Netherlands slotted in the second goal through Nick Meijer it only conformed to the trend.

Spain stepped up pressure and Santi Freixa smashed in a penalty corner which stretched beyond the half-time hooter. In a last ditch effort, the Dutch ventured to rewrite the verdict. It could have ended that way but for Ronald Bruawer messing up a chance.

Sunday's matches: Spain v Britain (4-30 p.m. IST); Japan v South Africa (6-30 p.m.); Netherlands v Spain (8-30 p.m.)

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