By : Jugjet Singh
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German goalkeeper Christian Schulte blocks a shot from Malaysia’s Tengku Abdul Majid (right) in their Champions Trophy match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday. — Pic: FATHIL ASRI
MALAYSIA fought back from three goals down to lose 3-2 to World No 2 and back-to-back world cup champions Germany in a thrilling Champions Trophy match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
And the win also saw Germany becoming the first team to book a spot in the final on Sunday.
The encouraging sign leading to the April Olympic Qualifiers was that Malaysia beat the Germans in fitness, and fought gallantly before folding up with their heads held high.
Only two penalty corners separated the Germans from Malaysia in the first half of an otherwise balanced match.
Malaysia soaked in tremendous pressure in the opening five minutes as the Germans had three shots at the second choice goalkeeper Khairulnizam Ibrahim, who stood his ground.
And in the remaining minutes, Malaysia made numerous forays into the German semi-circle, but S. Selvaraju, Chua Boon Huat, Ismail Abu (pic) and skipper Azlan Misron’s attempts were too soft, and the robust Germans stopped them with ease.
Germany only received two penalty corners, and scored off both, while Malaysia failed to win a single penalty corner in the first half.
German Florian Keller snatched a brace with high flicks into the net in the 25th and 35th minute, to give his team a good lead going into the breather.
Malaysia held their formation, and displayed good skills but their only bane was being too soft in the German semi-circle.
“Overall I am happy with the team as they held their structure, and played to instructions. The Germans took their chances well, while we were soft in our attempts at goal, that was the only difference in today’s (yesterday’s) match,” said Malaysian coach Sarjit Singh.
In the second half, Germany got their third goal immediately upon resumption, when Matthias Witthaus made a darting run and sounded the board.
Malaysia, down 3-0, looked like they were in for a hiding, but instead of giving up, they started attacking the Germans in numbers.
The Malaysians scored in the the 54th minute when S. Selvaraju’s top of the semicircle shot narrowed the gap to 1-3.
And that was what the national team needed to inject more urgency into the match, and they played superb hockey and nailed the second goal in the 62nd minute, when Ismail Abu connected with a deft shot from Engku Malek.
The Germans were tired, and started making too many mistakes, and Malaysia pressed them hard, but only narrow misses came their way as the equaliser eluded them.
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