AUSTRALIA 4 EGYPT 0
Australia limbered to a 4-0 win over Egypt in their opening match of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
The four goal win could have been bigger but for the outstanding performance by the Egyptian keeper Abd El Razak Farahat who was in his element to deny the Aussies many times.
The Aussie hockeykroos failed to make use of the chances that came their way and their two penalty corners awarded in the 11th and 14th minutes was brilliantly saved by Ghareb Hossam and keeper Abd El Razak respectively.
The world champions were not to be denied for long as Grant Schubert had the final touch off a goal mouth melee in the 19th minute.
The match was stopped in the 24th minute for 53 minutes due to heavy rain, upon resumption the Australians continued in their attacking vein yet failed to deliver much.
The Australians only had a one goal lead at the half time break, as they struggled to break the shackles. In the second half, Australia tried to break down the Egyptian defense, using the width of the field but got their second goal via a penalty corner converted by Christopher Ciriello in the 48th minute.
Matt Ghodes made it 3-0 in the 59th minute before Kieren Govers made it 4-0 in the 63rd minute via a superb reverse stick shot.
INDIA 4 PAKISTAN 2
Defending champions India bounced back from their opening match disappointment by defeating traditional foes Pakistan convincingly.
Both teams were not willing to play open hockey and opted to put men behind the ball when losing possession.
However India seized the initiative and took the lead, deservingly though, in the 26th minute when Sardar Singh slammed in the rebound off a penalty corner attempt made by Dhanajay Mahadik.
The men in blue maintained their slender lead, till the hooter was blown for the half time break. Upon resumption Pakistan were awarded a penalty stroke in the 37th minute and skipper Muhamad Imran kept his cool to beat Indian custodian Sreejesh Parathi Raveendran to put his team on level terms.
India went 2-1 ahead when Gurbaj Singh’s hard hit into the semi circle was deflected by Mandip Antil in the 47th minute.
Gurbaj made it 3-1 in the 53rd minute while Tushar Khandker made it 4-1 in the 56th minute to give the defending champions a big lead.
Khasif Ali reduced the deficit by converting a penalty corner in the 66th minute, but by then the fight had subsided from the inexperienced Pakistan team.
MALAYSIA 1 KOREA 1
Malaysia held Asian champions Korea to a 1-1 draw in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, their second consecutive draw.
A clever combination of Faizal Saari and Sukri Mutalib won the first penalty corner in the 12th minute, but Mohd Amin Rahim's flick was palmed away by goalkeeper Lee Myung Ho.
South Korea finally got their act together in the 14th minute. Off a free hit from the 25-yard line, the ball found Oh Dae Keun's hockey stick and he beat goalkeeper S. Kumar with a quick slap hit.
Faizal was presented with a golden opportunity to equalize in the 22nd minute, but his shot was parried away by the alert goalkeeper Lee.
The match was equalized by the hosts to the delight of the 5000 strong crowd, through the conversion of a penalty corner in the 50th.
Amin’s low flick was well saved by Korean keeper Lee Myung Ho but Azlan Misron picked up the rebound to draw Malaysia level.
The hosts were lucky to sneak through with a draw when Korea’s fourth penalty corner in the 55th minute hit the post and rebounded off the fallen Kumar, before going out of play.
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