Malaysia ended a 20 year wait when they edged Pakistan 2-1 in the final of the Asia Junior Cup at the MBMB Stadium in Malacca.
Barely
30 seconds into the match and Malaysia were awarded their first penalty corner.
The
Pakistanis took their time to prepare for the penalty corner, it took them
almost a minute. But that did not put off Faisal Saari whose flick sailed into
the left hand corner of the Pakistani goal, with custodian Mazhar Abbas diving
in vain.
And
the 7.500 odd fans went wild as Malaysia scored with the first look at
Pakistan’s goal.
Pakistan
nearly drew level in the 12th minute as Muhammad Irfan took a snap
shot from the semi –circle but Malaysian custodian Hazrul Faiz Ahmad Sobri
pulled off a brilliant save.
Firhan
Ashaari could have doubled the advantage in the 16th minute as he
broke through the centre but he opted to go on the reverse and the move was
well read by Mazhar.
But
Malaysia were on song and Mohd Syamim Mohd Yusof made it 2-0 in the very next minute
and Pakistan were shell -shocked.
Malaysia
were guilty of overdoing things and this allowed the Pakistan trio of Irfan,
Muhammad Suleman and Muhammad Dilber to make inroads into the semi circle. But
stout defending by Kavin Kartik and skipper Mohd Noor Faeez Ibrahim kept them
at bay.
A
minute before halftime Pakistan were awarded their first penalty corner. But
Muhammad Tousiq sent his attempt sailing over the bar.
At
halftime Malaysian led 2-0 and there was an air of enthusiasm off around the
stadium and the VIP stand. But the Malaysian players looked composed as they
walked to the changing room.
But in the very next minute Malaysia were awarded their second penalty corner. But Faeez’s drag flick was turned away by Mazhar.
Tousiq had a shot brilliantly turned away by Hazrul in the 49th minute and from the ensuing hit in Pakistan were a shade unlucky as Dilber’s deflection hit the post.
Pakistan were going for the jugular as they sprayed crosses from both sides of the semi circle, going for deflections to catch Hazrul off guard. But the Malaysian custodian was at his best, as he turned away attempts by Dilber and Suleman in quick succession.
A skirmish broke out between the players from both teams in the 67th minute as Syamim was fouled by Muhammad Khalid. Both were sent to the sin bin.
Dilber was presented with a golden chance to take the match into extra time with 80 seconds on the clock, but he squandered the opportunity.
Malaysia
started off the second as they did the first but this time Pakistan were ready
for them as they thwarted all attempts. And the green shirts started dictating
play.
Pakistan
reduced the deficit in the 42nd minute as Irfan dived at full length
to turn in a cross by Dilber. Suddenly the stands fell silent.
But in the very next minute Malaysia were awarded their second penalty corner. But Faeez’s drag flick was turned away by Mazhar.
Tousiq had a shot brilliantly turned away by Hazrul in the 49th minute and from the ensuing hit in Pakistan were a shade unlucky as Dilber’s deflection hit the post.
Pakistan were going for the jugular as they sprayed crosses from both sides of the semi circle, going for deflections to catch Hazrul off guard. But the Malaysian custodian was at his best, as he turned away attempts by Dilber and Suleman in quick succession.
A skirmish broke out between the players from both teams in the 67th minute as Syamim was fouled by Muhammad Khalid. Both were sent to the sin bin.
Dilber was presented with a golden chance to take the match into extra time with 80 seconds on the clock, but he squandered the opportunity.
MALAYSIA
|
|
RUNNER-UP
|
PAKISTAN
|
THIRD
|
INDIA
|
FOURTH
|
KOREA
|
FIFTH
|
JAPAN
|
SIX
|
CHINA
|
SEVEN
|
IRAN
|
EIGHT
|
SRI LANKA
|
5 SPECIAL AWARDS
|
|
MAN OF THE MATCH
|
KAVIN
KARTIK (MAS)
|
TOP GOAL SCORER
|
YANG JIHUN (KOREA) - 6 GOALS
FAISAL SAARI (MAS) - 6 GOALS
|
BEST GOALKEEPER
|
HAZRUL
FAIZ AHMAD SOBRI (MAS)
|
PLAYER OF THE
TOURNAMENT
|
HAZRUL FAIZ AHMAD SOBRI (MAS)
|
FAIRPLAY
|
CHINA
|
