By Anne Das
The match between South Africa and Malaysia for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2022 International Men’s hockey tournament at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium Ipoh, was halted in the 13th minute because of rain.
Malaysia started at a furious pace and put South Africa in defence and earned four penalty corners in 13 minutes, but it was only close calls with no goals to show for it.
It was after Malaysia’s third penalty corner in the 11th minute, that in a lightning quick counter attack, South Africa caught the Malaysian defence off guard when in a one on one situation between replacement goalkeeper Mohd Zaimi Mat Deris and Cameron Yves Norman le Forester, the player for South Africa beat him clinically.
Malaysian national coach had wanted to give both goalkeepers in the team playing time and was supposed to alternate but after taking custodian Muhammad Hafizzudin Othman to task after his opening game performance against Korea going down to three penalty goals, Arul did not want to make the change in the second game so as not to break Hafizzudin’s confidence.
Last night, heavy downpour saw the game halted with 1 minute and 42 seconds left on the clock for the end of the first quarter – probably to the relief of the Malaysian camp.
After 15 minutes of stoppage, it was announced that the technical delegate, Muneer Mohammed, will make a decision on the match at 9.00pm (half an hour after the match was stopped).
After 1 hour and ten minutes there was no decision forthcoming as rain continued to pour.
And finally at 9.45pm (after the match was stopped 1 hour 15 minutes) Munner met with the team coaches of both teams to announce that the game will now be continued on Sunday (Nov 6) at 5.00pm
SOUTH AFRICA 1 (11th min) MALAYSIA 0
