The enthusiasm and excitement that head coach Sarjit Singh’s Speedy Tigers brought about in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup must continue in tomorrow’s last pool match against the South Koreans.
The host and defending champions are placed third in the table standings with six points after four matches, behind Pakistan (10) and Japan (10), while New Zealand is fourth spot (6 points), followed by Korea (3) and Canada at the basement with no points.
The Malaysians, who have scored 17 goals and the most number in the SAS Cup, must turn on the throttle and ensure victory over the Koreans to stay in line for a bronze-medal playoff. In other matches, Pakistan goes into a showdown with New Zealand (4.0pm), while Japan plays Canada (6.0pm).
While some coaches would blame players for losing matches, coach Sarjit Singh, though upset in Malaysia’s 2-1 defeat against Japan on Wednesday night after going through the motions with wins over world No 10 New Zealand (6-4), Canada (6-2) and a narrow 4-5 defeat against Pakistan, said the team is eager to set “the record straight”.
“We had enough chances to get a good result and when you don’t score it only makes things difficult. We were right In front of Japan’s goalmouth most of the time in the third and last 10 minutes of the fourth quarter. It was just not our day,” said Sarjit
The Malaysians’ luck against Japan was akin to a fisherman’s Odyssey at sea, and the players, said Sarjit, are equally frustrated by the outcome and have vowed to return with renewed energy and confidence against the Koreans.
“Frustrations showed all over their faces after the loss to Japan. I understand their pain. It’s good to feel that pain now. You have to applaud them for their commitment, remarkable attitude and character,” added Sarjit, a former international himself.
On a comment by Korean coach Taeseok Min that they plan to ‘lock out’ Speedy Tigers formidable attacking machinery led by Faizal Saari and Co, Sarjit replied: “We will just play our normal game. Every coach has his own opinion. The boys did well in the last four matches, especially against Japan and fought till the very end. They will continue to do so against Korea.”
“But just that the ball did not go into goal. The frustration showed on all their faces. You have to credit them for their commitment,” he said.
The Pakistan-New Zealand match is expected to go to the wire as coach Roelant Oltmans said it was time the men in green shirts end their habits of chasing rabbits.
“We have put ourselves in a difficult position and under a lot of pressure when you give away early goals and then have to work really hard to comeback. This happened against Malaysia, Japan and Canada,” said the Dutchman.
“I would very much prefer if the team went in and kept scoring and scoring. New Zealand will be a tough team and I expect a good match,” added Roelant.
Reflecting on the Black Sticks performance here, coach Greg Nicol said Pakistan is playing well and the Paris Olympics-bound New Zealand will have to press the reset mode button going into the showdown against the Pakistanis.
“We have had some good and not very good performances here, especially the one allowing Malaysia to take a 4-0 lead in the first quarter. And Pakistan will give us a tough match if we stray away from our plans and objectives,” said Nicol.
“Our priority in tomorrow’s match is to get back on track, for pride as well. But the experience here was good. Hopefully the rain stays away on Friday.”