It was a disappointing evening for the home fans when Malaysia lost 1 – 6 to India last night, Friday April 15.
Having known that they had secured a match for third and fourth placing on Saturday, April 16, the boys pulled the brakes and allowed the Indians to run rings around them.
The first goal of the match was scored by India’s Rupinder Pal Singh three minutes into the game. Harjeet Singh impressive dribbling helped India secured its second goal in the seventh minute.
Despite saving a few goals, keeper Hairi Abd Rahman could not do much thanks to a lacklustre Malaysian defence. India’s third goal came from a penalty corner which was netted by Ramandeep Singh.
The Indians continued the onslaught and was four up when Danish Mujtaba scored through a penalty corner a few minutes before the end of the second quarter.
The beginning of the third quarter saw some feeble attempts at goal by the home team but they got nowhere. The Indian players virtually camped in the Malaysian half. Ramandeep Singh scored his second and India’s fifth while Talwinder Singh netted India’s sixth and final goal mid- way through the third quarter. The Malaysians were humbled.
Despite the setback the home team managed to salvage some pride when Shahril Saabah scored Malaysia’s only goal minutes into the fourth quarter.
“I’m terribly disappointed with the way we played, especially during the first two goals. We’ll redeem ourselves in the third and fourth placing match,” said Malaysian coach Stephen Van Huizen.
Ramandeep Singh’s two goals earned him the Man of the Match award.
“My boys did well. They pressured the Malaysian side and it paid,” said a beaming Roelant Oltmans, the Indian coach.
On Saturday April 16, Pakistan will be up against Canada for the fifth and sixth placing at 3:40pm. Host Malaysia takes on New Zealand for the third and fourth placing at 6:05pm. Australia will square-off with India to decide the tournament winner at 8.30 pm.
Japan won the wooden spoon having lost all its five opening matches.
Ili Aqilah
