AAG: Malaysia: Lissek goes for young guns
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| Malaysia |
October 27, 2003
Malay Mail
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Mustapha Kamaruddin
WHEN you are up against a hockey power known for their fantastic fitness, you better rely on young and zestful forwards.
That is the plan of Malaysia coach Paul Lissek when his men take on South Korea in their last Group A match in the Afro-Asian Games in Hyderabad today.
The young guns are Tajol Roslie Mohamad, Norazlan Rahim and Isamil Abu. Norazlan and Ismail are back in the team after missing the Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur last month.
The three have been producing some convincing performance in the earlier matches against South Africa and Ghana after being fielded in the starting line-up by Lissek.
Malaysia were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa on Thursday but thrashed Ghana 5-0 on Saturday.
Tajol, Norazlan and Ismail have the credit of scoring a goal each in these two matches via field attempts.
"The three are expected to be in the starting line-up against South Korea where we need at least a draw to confirm our place in the last four," said team manager Zulkifli Abbas.
Tajol is playing a central forward role with Norazlan on the right flank and Ismail on the left. Norazlan, normally operates as a left midfielder. Supporting them from midfield are Azlan Misron, K. Keevan Raj and M. Jiwa.
Asked about the overall performance of the team, Zulkifli said they have been improving especially in terms of tactical execution.
"We are happy with that. But the real test is against the Koreans as it is a pressure match. We just want to see how the players cope with this kind of situation.
"A good result is also vital here and in this case, we need at least one point to make the semifinals on Tuesday," he added.
A defeat may see South Africa sneaking through on goal difference especially if they beat Ghana by a big margin. The South Africans were beaten 2-0 by the Koreans on Saturday.
Zulkifli said South Korea comprised 13 players that competed in the Asia Cup. "We, on the other hand, have 12 players from the Asia Cup." The Malaysians, for the record, managed to hold the Koreans to a 1-1 draw in their opening Asia Cup. In the Asia Cup, Malaysia's goal was scored by Chua Boon Huat from a penalty corner.
And the Malaysians are doing reasonably well in this aspect in Hyderabad where they managed to score three out of six earned against South Africa and Ghana. Two were by skipper S. Kuhan and the other through Amin Rahim.
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