Hockey - National team face first real challenge when they take on Korea on Thursday

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian hockey team face a searching test of their credentials when they play South Korea in their first real challenge of the Olympic qualifier in Dublin today.
Their task has been made all the more difficult as the Koreans need to win this match to stay alive after the 1-1 draw with Ireland on Tuesday.

Malaysia top the standings after wins over minnows Chile, Russia and Ukraine but Korea and Ireland were always going to be key factors in the Olympic equation.
While losing to the Koreans, who are the favourites, will not end Malaysia’s chances of making Sunday’s final it will put them under the cosh as they will then have to beat Ireland in the last group match on Saturday.

Slow starter: Tai Beng Hai admits his players are slow to hit top gear during matches.

 

A draw may seem a good option but that would be asking for trouble as they have an inferior goal difference to Korea and Ireland, which could prove telling in the final analysis.
Team manager George Koshy said they had been aware of this from the very start and had pushed for goals in their three earlier matches. The team duly defeated Chile 5-1, Russia 6-2 and Ukraine 5-1 for a goal difference of plus 12.

The Irish have a goal difference of 17 and an easy match against Chile today while the Koreans should steamroll past Russia in their last tie. Malaysia, in contrast, will not find scoring easy against Korea and Ireland.

“Goal difference will be the deciding factor if our remaining matches end in a draw. But we want to beat the Koreans and the Irish and not leave it to mathematics. We intend to take full points off the Koreans which will guarantee us a place in the final ahead of our last group match,” said George.
Ireland and South Korea have seven points each while the Malaysians have nine.
If Malaysia beat Korea they will have 12 points and a place in the final. A draw would mean a do-or-die battle with Ireland on Saturday.

The main concern is the continued failure of the team to hit their matches running. The slow start will be costly if they have to chase the game after conceding early goals.
Their first half performances have all been scrappy and they have also allowed their opponents to score quite easily. The question is whether they can recover strongly enough against teams like Korea and Ireland.

National coach Tai Beng Hai said the players were focused although they were slow to hit top gear during matches.

“It’s certainly a concern but I think we will not make that mistake against Korea and Ireland. These are crucial ties which will decide our fate and we need to gain full points,” he said.

“The goals are there and we can score from field attempts and penalty corners. The forwards are doing their jobs well although we could have scored more field goals. There is a balance now and that augurs well for the team.”

The Koreans are intent on winning the sole Olympic ticket on offer in Dublin and have recalled several former stars for the campaign.
“There’s no question that experience will count and the Koreans have a strong team. Still, the onus is on us to try and win the match at all costs,” he added.

From the 16 goals the team have scored, 10 have been from penalty corners, four from field attempts and two from penalty strokes.
Malaysia’s line-up for the last three matches has been largely unchanged with the goalkeepers S. Kumar and Roslan Jamaluddin rotated.

“We don’t have any major injury worries although there are a few with knocks here and there. But that is only to be expected. The players are in a good frame of mind and that is what counts,” said George.
Malaysia’s leading scorer in the tournament is veteran Mohamed Amin Rahim with five strikes while Mohamed Razie Rahim has scored four goals.



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