MALAYSIA GO DOWN TO PAKISTAN IN SUPER 9's

By Ghaz Ramli

Despite opening their campaign with a 5-3 defeat in the hands of Pakistan, Malaysia begin the International Super Series Hockey 9s at the Perth Hockey Stadium in Perth on a high.

"Obviously we are not happy with the results but the nine game is about angle and passing and we took too slow to understand," said Malaysian coach Paul Revington.

The South African however went on to praise his side for the improvement of play since reaching Western Australia after a 5-1 defeat in test with Argentina two days ago.

"We were reasonably happy with the performance in the first half but conceded two long corner goals," added Revington.

"We are in the phase of our training when we need this kind of matches especially with the new players in the team," he said.

Malaysia got off to a good start scoring in the opening seconds as Nabil Fiqri found the net.

The Pakistanis recovered from the early shock five minutes later as Arsian Qadir converted a penalty corner.

Umar Bhutta put Pakistan in the lead when he converted another penalty corner 10 minutes later.

The match tempo in the second half increased impressively as the produced a goal fest with both teams getting a goal each beginning with Pakistan's Salman Hussain (23rd min).

Captain Sharun Nabil made in 3-2 three minutes later.

Muhammad Dilber  extended Pakistan's lead in the 35th minute but the gap did not last long as Malaysia's Norhizzat Sumantri got on the scoresheet in the 36th minute.

As the Malaysian were strategising for an equaliser Pakistan cemented their win when Dilber registered his second of the night a minute before the buzzer to win 5-3.

With a usual target of winning the tournament,  Malaysians, which doesn't not have the service of star forward Faizal Saari, will face the Kookaburras next.

The Australians put on an impressive show as they drew 4-4 against the Argentina who will face Pakistan next.

Results

MEN

AUS 4 ARG 4
PAK 5 MAS 3

WOMEN

AUS 8 MAS 0
CAN 1 ARG 4

FIXTURE (18 Oct)

MEN

AUS V MAS
PAK V ART

WOMEN

ARG V MAS
AUS V CAN