JOHOR BARU: Malaysia continued their sizzling form in the Sultan of Johor Cup when they outplayed South Korea 5-1 for their second win at the Taman Daya Stadium on Monday.
Malaysia, who defeated Argentina 4-2 on Sunday, could have gone to the top of the six-team standings if they had tucked away the many goalscoring chances that came their way. Pakistan, who defeated England 6-2 earlier in the day, lead with a better goal difference.
Mohd Fitri Saari (13th), Mohd Shahril Saabah (38th), Mohd Zulhairi Hashim (48th), Mohd Syamim Yusof (64th) and Mohd Rashid Baharom (69th) scored for Malaysia while Seo In-woo replied for the Koreans in the 67th minute.
“I am impressed with their performance. We need to make a minor adjustment in our finishing as we wasted a number of chances today,” said Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHF) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah after a pep talk to the players after the match.
“Malaysia are the Asian champions and we must win the tournament to show our strength going into the Junior World Cup in New Delhi in December,” added Tengku Abdullah.
The Malaysians started slowly and conceded a penalty corner to the Koreans, who lost 3-0 to Pakistan on Sunday, in the sixth minute. Nam Yun-seon, however, flicked the ball wide.
The Malaysians, however, thrilled the home crown by scoring in the 13th minute. From a pass by Mohd Syamim, Fitri’s shot sounded the board after a deflection by Korea defender You seung-yeo.
But Malaysia had to wait unti the 38th minute to score goal No. 2. Malaysia earned a penalty corner and Shahril’s low flick sailed past goalkeeper Lee Se-young. It was Shahril’s fourth goal in the tournament.
The goal inspired K. Dharmaraj players as they continued to surge forward.
Ten minutes later, Malaysia earned their sixth penalty corner and Zulhairi made no mistake with a low flick.
Syamim then made it 4-0 in the 64th minute by connecting Shahril’s cross.
Three minutes later, the Koreans managed to reduce the deficit with a field goal by In-woo.
Rashid, however, had the last say. He scored from close range in the 69th minute to make it 5-1.
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