Malaysia recovered from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Russia 6-2 in their second match at the Olympic Qualifiers in Dublin today.
It
was a case of paying too much respect to the opponents as Malaysia
caved in the opening 20 minutes ofbthe match but showed tremendous
fighting spirit in a match where they scored four goals from the six
penalty corners awarded.
And Mohd Amin Rahim scored a hattrick in a win that was crucial to ensure Malaysia stay on course for a ticket to London 2012.
Malaysia
opted for high press in the opening minutes of the match and had the
Russian defence back pedalling and thinking of ways to get out of the
situation.
But
Russia had the first look at goal though in the 10th minute as
Aleksander Platonov broke through on the left and unleashed a shot that
went inches wide of Roslan Jamaluddin's far post.
Malaysia
were not playing half as well as they did inntheir opening match
withTengkuAhmad Tajuddin and Izwan Firdaus looking off colour.
And
it was a shaky performance by the defenders when Russia applied the
pressure, using their upper body strength to put off the Malaysian
defenders.
Just
when Malaysia were getting into gear, the Russians struck but what a
beauty of a goal it was as Pavel Golubev ghosted past three defenders on
the right before sending in a reverse stick hit that sailed high into
the goal givingb Roslan no chance at all.
And
it was more heartache for Malaysia as Golubrev struck again two minutes
later after being put through and slamming it in from 7 meters out.
Malaysia
then forced a penalty corner in the 26th minute but Mohd Razie Abdul
Rahim's shoat was parried away by Russian custodian Roman Rogov.
However
Mohd Amin Rahim reduced the deficit to 2-1 when he found the mark off
Malaysian second penalty corner in the 28th minute.
At halftime the Russians were ahead 2-1 but Malaysia looked hopeful, still optimistic of winning.
All
it took was two minutes into the second half for Malaysia to draw level
as Amin converted a penalty corner in the 37th minute.
Malaysia
then seized the initiative as Russia were pressed deep in defence and
were duly rewarded for their efforts in the 45th minute through Faisal
Saari, also via a penalty corner.
Moving with confidence, Malaysiathen extended their lead in the52nd minute, this time Razie converting a penalty corner.
Two
minutes later Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin was felled in the semi circle and
umpire Gary Simmonds from South Africa awarded a penalty stroke that
Amin duly converted to complete his hattrick and extend Malaysia's lead
to 5-2.
Hafifihafiz
Hanafi scored in the 65th minute to complete a rousing fightback for
Malaysia who will take on Ukraine next on Tuesday.
