Malaysia overwhelm South Korea, 3-1 in the 20th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup: Hockey Recap
Malaysia, the host team, trounced South Korea by 3-1 in their second last contest of the 20th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup that played at the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium in Malaysian city of Ipoh, on May 12.
As compared to the previous performances, the Malaysian side displayed a matured show and won first game of the invitational. The competition went neck-to-neck in the opening period, while the second half was overwhelmed by the host side with a constant
ball control. The speed of the game was slow in the start with fewer attacks made from both the two sides.
The game developed strength in the eighth minute of the match, when South Korea was awarded a penalty stroke, which was according to commentator a harsh decision by the referee. Mohd Shukri Abdul Mutalib while attempting to save the ball played from You
Hyo Sik committed a foul.
However, S. Kumar made a crucial save by denying the shot from Jang Jong Hyun and Koreans wasted a sure-goal chance.
In a counter-offence, the home side received their first short-corner in the 13thminute of the game, but to no avail. Hafifihafiz Hanafi passed the ball to Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim, who failed to past Korean goalie and wasted the opportunity.
The pressure further developed as soon as the Koreans earned their first short-corner in the 17th minute of the match that was attempted by Nyam Hyun Woo, opening the score 1-0. He executed a powerful low-flying shot past S. Kumar and the defenders.
It was the only offence from the two sides in the first half of play. After an end-to-end play, the first half action was concluded with the visiting side hanging on to a one-goal edge, 1-0.
The Malaysian attack came alive in the second half of play and destroyed the defence-line of the opponent contenders. Malaysia managed to make an equaliser in the 43rd minute when Nabil Fiqri Mohd Nor received a pass from Izwan Firdaus Ahmad Tajuddin
and unleashed a reverse-stick shot, making the score at 1-1. Lee Myung,the Korean custodian did not find any chance to stop the ball at any occasion.
Hafifihafiz made a lengthy run onto the field and sent a pass to Faisal Saari, who successfully punched a goal in the 58th minute of the match to put his team ahead on the score-board.
South Korea received their second short corner in the 61st minute of the game. However, the shot was saved by the Malaysian goalie. In a matter of three minutes, Izwan Firdaus unleashed a low-moving flick into Korean goal in the 67thminute
of the game and expanded the lead up to two goals. After a defensive game of two minutes, Malaysia rode away the field with maiden victory at 3-1.
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