OLD WARHORSE: Australia would be banking on the experience of Brent Livermore to serve the midfield well in the final. — FILE PHOTO

Ipoh: There is no disputing the fact that Australia is stamped as the favourite for Sunday's Sultan Azlan Shah Trophy final. Both in stature and also in record of achievements, Australia, the Olympic champion and World No. 2, is a super power.

How far will Malaysia, playing its first final after 1985 of this major hockey competition in the continent, stretch the four-time champion is the question.

Candid observation

The Malaysian coach, Sarjit Singh, is remarkably candid. " We will give them a tough fight," he observed admitting that the team would learn a lot from meeting a combination as renowned as Australia in a cup final. His pragmatism is striking and unpretentious. A miracle? Yes, sport has several such things in the past; a defeat of Australia will be put down as one such sporting oddities.

For Australia, figuring in the seventh final in 10 appearances — a remarkable report card indeed — this has not been an outstanding show so far. The team was surprisingly phlegmatic; almost lost or drew the opener against India, caved down to the hustle and bustle of the Argentines before touching that wonted rhythm and strike power against China.

The semifinal against Korea was not an unqualified success despite the huge margin of victory. True, the frontline seized all the chances but the typical Aussie flair and fervour were somewhat found wanting. A missing element was the fizz in the frontline sallies. The midfield work has been mediocre, despite the proficiency of the old warhorse Brent Livermore, and the hardworking Rob Hammond.

A final is a different ball game. The Aussies have always risen to the occasion. And sure they will before the full house on Sunday.

The euphoria sweeping the Malaysian camp after prevailing over India in the semifinal is justifiable. Sarjit has trained a new combination after the disastrous Doha Asian Games with some positive results. The consistency of the mid-field, where Jiwa Mohan and Jivan Mohan have been notable, the dangerous thrusts of Ismail Abu and Selvaraju may constitute a challenge for the Aussies.

Everyone genuinely believes the final will script a new chapter for Malaysian hockey that is down the hill after the failure to make it to Athens (Olympics) and to Monchengladbach (World Cup).

Chance for India

As for India, it is time to obliterate the painful moments against Malaysia on Friday and brace up to face the Koreans in an effort to get on the podium. The team has all the ingredients to achieve this, and needs to be motivated to accomplish this.

Coach Joaquim Carvalho was so disappointed with the outcome that he failed to turn up for the media briefing after the game. This act has not enhanced his reputation in the eyes of the international media. Of course, he is not wanting in predecessors, who bunked the press conferences after a defeat.

Pakistan's humiliation was complete when the team slipped to the sixth place losing to Argentina 2-4. That Argentina led 3-0 at half-time underlines the team's domination in the encounter.

Ishlahuddin Siddiqui and his new team management have a lot to explain on return.

China, playing here for the first time, finished seventh pushing Canada to the last spot.

The results: Classification matches: (5-6): Argentina 4 (Pedro Ibarra 2, Rafael Rossi, Juan Garreta) bt Pakistan 2 (Eshanullah, Rehan Bhat); (7-8): China 4 (Xian Tang Liu 3, Song Yi) bt Canada 2 (Wayne Fernandez, Paul Wettlaufer).

Sunday's matches: (3-4): India vs. Korea (12.35 p.m.); Final: Australia vs. Malaysia (2.35 p.m.).

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