Tigers Get A Second Chance To Make Amends After Loss To Italy

In MAIN

Malaysia were beaten 4-2 by surprise package Italy but get another crack at securing a semi-final spot when they meet Wales in the crossover playoff tomorrow after Group B matches of the FIH Series, Kuala Lumpur were completed at the National Hockey Stadium, KL Sports City, Bukit Jalil last night.

Minnows Italy, ranked World No 32, against the odds took a shock lead in the ninth minute from their first penalty corner attempt through Thomas Keenan.

But Malaysia were on level terms from their second penalty corner when prolific forward Faizal Saari connected with a direct hit in the 26th minute.

But the Italians regained the lead a minute into the second half when Agustin Nunez tapped home a searching ball from just outside the semi-circle to give Italy a 2-1 ahead.

But the Malaysians, ranked 13th in the world, had the visitors on the back foot and four minutes later earned a penalty corner from which captain Razie Rahim scored despite a sea of Italian defenders.

But the Italians were soon calling the shots after goalkeeper Francesco Padovani frustrated the Malaysian forwards producing one spectacular save after another to deny the Speedy Tigers the winning goal they were craving for.

The keeper provided the platform for Italy to score their third and fourth goals through a penalty corner by Nunez in the 43rd minute and an angled shot from the left by Francois Sior two minutes later.

“We played well below what we are capable of. But the nice thing is that we still have another chance to make amends on Wednesday (tomorrow),” said Malaysia’s  head coach Roelant Oltmans.

“Before the start of the tournament, not many would have predicted Austria and Italy to top their respective groups, but it is what it is,” Oltmans added. “Hopefully, we will sit here in this room on Wednesday with a different story to tell.”

In an earlier match, World No 14, China came from two goals down to edge 27th-ranked Brazil 3-2.

The win, achieved by goals from Su Lixing in the 13th minute, a penalty corner by Tu Yuan Ling (45th) and a Dong Yang field goal four minutes from time means China follow Italy and Malaysia into the knockout phase.

In Group A, World No 19, Austria became the first team to qualify directly for the semi-finals when they beat World No 24 Wales 2-0 to finish top of the group at the culmination of the group phase.

Both Austria’s goals were scored through penalty corner attempts, by Dominic Uher in the 37th minute and Florian Steyrer, five minutes from time.

“We trained a lot for our penalty corner routine. Today, we are happy that it paid off and we are going into the semi-finals,” said goalscorer Uher at the post-match interview.

“It’s tough to play in these conditions. We knew we had to win if we wanted to secure direct qualification,” he added.

Canada and Wales, who finished second and third respectively, have progressed to tomorrow’s cross-over playoff to decide the remaining two semi-finals spots.

World No 10, Canada secured second place with a comfortable 6-2 win over Belarus, ranked 31st in the world.

As the dust settles on an enthralling group phase, Italy, champions of Group B and Austria go directly into the semis while Malaysia get another bite at the cherry to make it to the last four when they meet Wales in the crossover with China due to play Canada in the other playoff.

 

Results (Day 4) – Group A: Canada 6 Belarus 2, Wales 0 Austria 2

Group B: Brazil 2 China 3, Malaysia 2 Italy 4

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