Malaysia fell to one of its heaviest defeats in recent times when Australia defeated them 11-3 in the 3 Nation Quadrangular in Canberra today. The halftime result was 9-1 and this comes barely days after the historic 1-0 win over the Aussies, a feat achieved after 15 years.
For the record, prior to this heavy defeat, Malaysia lost 9-1 to Australia in the Esanda Tournament in 1979, 8-1 at the Utrecht World Cup in 1998, another 8-1 loss was recorded in 2004 while at the 1998 Commonwealth Games final we lost 4-0.
There has been talk about a revolt in the team, initiated by a certain official who is claiming that matches are being fixed. It is more of red herring as the truth of the matter is the coach Tai Beng Hai is being targeted for removal. There is not an iota of evidence to support either theory, but the bottom line is there is a sevee problem that needs to be resolved.
Hopefully this defeat will be a wake up call for MHF and NSC. Something is wrong, believe it. But at the rate the Team Management Committee, being led or misled by the Deputy President is going, I doubt it that there is much hope to make a date for the World Cup in Delhi next year.
So be realistic HRH Tengku Abdullah, most of the officials around you may lack the courage to tell you this, forget the World Cup, focus on the 2010 Asian Games, go for gold there to make the 2012 Olympics on merit. That is the best option open to you.
And to all you MHF officials, if you have the interest of hockey at heart, be honest to the President and tell him that we will not make it to the World Cup next year. It is nothing to be ashamed of as prior to 1998, we did not play in any World Cups since Bombay in 1982, that was a gap of 16 years, so not playing for a gap of another 12 years (the last being 2002 when we hosted the World Cup) is not big shame.
Always remember this, in the last 27 years, we only played in the World Cup on merit ONCE, that too was in 1998.
For the record, prior to this heavy defeat, Malaysia lost 9-1 to Australia in the Esanda Tournament in 1979, 8-1 at the Utrecht World Cup in 1998, another 8-1 loss was recorded in 2004 while at the 1998 Commonwealth Games final we lost 4-0.
There has been talk about a revolt in the team, initiated by a certain official who is claiming that matches are being fixed. It is more of red herring as the truth of the matter is the coach Tai Beng Hai is being targeted for removal. There is not an iota of evidence to support either theory, but the bottom line is there is a sevee problem that needs to be resolved.
Hopefully this defeat will be a wake up call for MHF and NSC. Something is wrong, believe it. But at the rate the Team Management Committee, being led or misled by the Deputy President is going, I doubt it that there is much hope to make a date for the World Cup in Delhi next year.
So be realistic HRH Tengku Abdullah, most of the officials around you may lack the courage to tell you this, forget the World Cup, focus on the 2010 Asian Games, go for gold there to make the 2012 Olympics on merit. That is the best option open to you.
And to all you MHF officials, if you have the interest of hockey at heart, be honest to the President and tell him that we will not make it to the World Cup next year. It is nothing to be ashamed of as prior to 1998, we did not play in any World Cups since Bombay in 1982, that was a gap of 16 years, so not playing for a gap of another 12 years (the last being 2002 when we hosted the World Cup) is not big shame.
Always remember this, in the last 27 years, we only played in the World Cup on merit ONCE, that too was in 1998.
The Match Report
he Kookaburras have made amends for their recent 1-0 shock loss to Malaysia, defeating them 11-3 tonight in Canberra.
The best possible start was made by the Kookaburras, with prolific striker Des Abbott opening the goal scoring account only 30 seconds into the match.
This was an ominous sign for Malaysia, with the Kookaburras showing no mercy and upcoming star Chris Ciriello extending the Kookaburras lead from a penalty corner only minutes later.
When two time world player of the year Jamie Dwyer scored immediately after, the game appeared almost over with over 70 minutes of play still remaining, the Kookaburras simply outclassing the visitors.
This was reinforced throughout the first half, with Mark Knowles, Simon Orchard and Rob Hammond scoring goals while Dwyer added his second just prior to half time, with Russell Ford also scoring two first half goals to set up a 9-1 half time lead.
In complete contrast to the fast paced first half, the goal-fest didn’t quite continue after half time, with the first goal not coming until the 52 minute mark, going to Malaysia.
Despite having the game already won the Kookaburras continued to work hard, with striker Grant Schubert scoring at the 59 minute mark while Orchard scored his second goal at the 66 minute mark.
Despite conceding a late goal with only two minutes remaining, nothing could dampen the performance of the Kookaburras as they prepare for their next game against Canada tomorrow evening in Canberra.
he Kookaburras have made amends for their recent 1-0 shock loss to Malaysia, defeating them 11-3 tonight in Canberra.
The best possible start was made by the Kookaburras, with prolific striker Des Abbott opening the goal scoring account only 30 seconds into the match.
This was an ominous sign for Malaysia, with the Kookaburras showing no mercy and upcoming star Chris Ciriello extending the Kookaburras lead from a penalty corner only minutes later.
When two time world player of the year Jamie Dwyer scored immediately after, the game appeared almost over with over 70 minutes of play still remaining, the Kookaburras simply outclassing the visitors.
This was reinforced throughout the first half, with Mark Knowles, Simon Orchard and Rob Hammond scoring goals while Dwyer added his second just prior to half time, with Russell Ford also scoring two first half goals to set up a 9-1 half time lead.
In complete contrast to the fast paced first half, the goal-fest didn’t quite continue after half time, with the first goal not coming until the 52 minute mark, going to Malaysia.
Despite having the game already won the Kookaburras continued to work hard, with striker Grant Schubert scoring at the 59 minute mark while Orchard scored his second goal at the 66 minute mark.
Despite conceding a late goal with only two minutes remaining, nothing could dampen the performance of the Kookaburras as they prepare for their next game against Canada tomorrow evening in Canberra.
