Two goals by Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tg Abdul Jalil gave Malaysia a 5-2 win over Australia in their third friendly match at the Shenton College Stadium in Perth this evening.
It was a commendable effort by the Malaysians but the win was somewhat marred by a facial injury to key defender Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim.
Razie suffered the injury, above the forehead, in the 6th minute and after quick treatment on the sidelines was rushed to the hospital.
The player was hospitalized and kept overnight for observation and the injury will not affect his chance of playing at the Olympic Qualifiers in Dublin next month.
Australia fielded seven players from their Olympic bound squad with the likes of Mark Paterson, Liam De Young, Kiel Brown, Simon Orchard, Russel Ford, Brent Dancer, Mathew Butterini and Bevan George playing.
And having won the first two matches ( 3-1 and 5-2 respectively), the Aussies were expected to roll all over the Malaysians given that this was the first time the Malaysian players were playing on a blue playing surface.
But the injury to Razie somewhat affected their concentration as the players were visibly affected and conceded a goal in the 8th minute as development squad player Tom Wickham scored.
But Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin levelled the scores the very next minute via a deflection that had Aussie keeper Tristan Clemons beaten all the way.
Malaysia were then awarded a penalty corner and Mohd Amin Rahim made it count to give Malaysia a 2-1 lead.
It was strong performances from Mohd Marhan and Mohd Shukri Mutalib that ensured Malaysia walked off the pitch at halftime leading 2-1.
With Baljit Singh thwarting the Aussies efforts vis strong run outs for the penalty cormers, the Malaysians grew in confidence and Faisal Saari put them 3-1 ahead.
Firhan Ashaari and Tengku Ahmad then struck to give Malaysia a commanding 5-1 lead before Wickham scored the Aussies second goal.
The two teams will play their final match on Saturday befotre Malaysia takes on Holland on Sunday.
Footnote: The info on the match was provided by hockey friends who are not connected to MHF or MHC and nor from any team official in Australia who expect this blog to call them for details. And it's tax payers money that they use to go to Australia, while I pay my own expenses. So wake up from your slumber MHC and get your website working, clean it up.
