MJWC: Malaysia through to next round despite defeat by Germans
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| Germany |
July 2, 2005
The Star Online
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BY S. RAMAGURU
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia turned in yet another disappointing show at the Junior World Cup yesterday, losing 5-7 to Germany in a Group B match at the Rotterdam Hockey Club yesterday. However, they still qualified for the second round matches thanks to Argentina, who beat South Africa 1-0.
Argentina went through to the second round with the maximum nine points.
The South Americans will take six points into the second round while the Germans will have three. The Malaysians, despite their win over South Africa will have no points when the second round matches start today.
ON TARGET: Zulkifli Rejab netted four goals in Malaysia’s 5-7 loss to Germany in the Junior World Cup hockey tournament in Holland yesterday.
Malaysia are in Group F with Australia, Pakistan and Belgium. Today, they start their second round campaign against tournament favourites Australia.
The teams in Group E are South Korea, England, Spain, Holland and India while the winners of the Poland-Egypt clash will take the last spot.
The Australians topped Group C when they defeated Pakistan 3-2 in their last match. They, like Argentina, will take six points into the second round.
Australian hitman Colin Hennessy is fast getting to be the man to watch. He scored two goals against the Pakistanis to take his tally to nine in three matches. Ian Smythe was the other scorer while Tariq Aziz and Shakeel Abbasi scored for the Pakistanis.
The Malaysians, meanwhile, put up a pathetic show in the first half and were down 1-4 at half time. Only a change in their playing mode made a difference in the second half.
The Germans took a two-goal lead through Christian Muenz in the ninth and 20th minutes from two field attempts. In the 28th minute Zulkifli Rejab managed to scored from a penalty corner set piece move.
But Moritz Fuerste gave notice that they meant business when he scored in the 30th and 31st minutes to put the Germans 4-1 in front at half time.
Oliver Korn added a fifth goal in the 38th minute and it was only then that Malaysia woke up and, in a 13-minute blitz, scored four goals to get into the fight.
Zulkifli was on target again in the 42nd, 45th and 55th minute off penalty corner flicks while forward Ismail Abu scored in the 50th minute.
But the Germans had the last laugh and three points for the next round when Timo Blasberg and Jonathan Froeschle scored in the 48th and 57th minutes to chalk up a 7-5 win.
Argentina, meanwhile, had Lucas Vila to thank for their win over South Africa. He converted a penalty corner in the 15th minute.
The Argentines had earlier beaten Malaysia 1-0 and Germany 3-2.
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