Malaysia edge S. Korea to finally lift Azlan Shah Cup

Clinical: Malaysia’s Shello Silverius (left) celebrating with teammates after scoring in the 3-2 win over South Korea in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final. — Team Malaysia Facebook

PETALING JAYA: Months of hard work finally paid off for the Speedy Tigers as they avenged their Asian Cup defeat by overcoming South Korea 3-2 to clinch the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh yesterday.

The Koreans had dealt Malaysia a knockout blow in the Asia Cup final by winning 2-1 in Jakarta on June 1 but yesterday, the hosts finally overcame their final jinx in an international tournament with a power-packed display at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium.

Malaysia had failed to secure the Azlan Shah Cup despite reaching the final on five previous occasions (1985, 2007, 2009, 2013 and 2014) but the team coached by A. Arulselvaraj ended the wait in style with a spirited display.

Shello Silverius continued his rich vein of form when he scored his fifth goal of the tournament through a 15th minute field effort to give Malaysia a 1-0 lead.

However, Jang Jong-hyun continued to be the thorn in the Tigers’ flesh as he brought the Koreans back into the match with a well-executed penalty corner a minute later.

Malaysia stood firm as they kept the Koreans at bay as the first half ended 1-1.

The Tigers had to wait until the 35th minute to earn their first penalty corner but defender Razie Rahim’s powerful direct flick was saved by Korean goalkeeper Kim Jae-hyeon.

Malaysia received a penalty corner in the 45th minute and although Razie’s flick was saved, the umpire awarded a penalty stroke after Lee Nam-yong fouled a player inside the D.

Razie, playing in his 301st international, stepped forward and beat Jae-hyeon with a low but powerful flick to give Malaysia the crucial lead before going into the fourth quarter.

Malaysia, who used to struggle in the fourth quarter, continued to penetrate the Korean D and they were rewarded as midfielder Aminuddin Zain scored with a field goal in the 48th minute to put the host on the verge of victory.

They, however, had to endure tense moments towards the end as the Koreans reduced the deficit to 3-2 with a goal from Jeon Byung-jin in the 58th minute through a penalty corner.

This time, there was no heartbreak as Malaysia hung on to the lead to end their search for an elusive international title.

“We worked hard. Our message to the players was ‘we’re better than them by 80% and we must win this match.’ At half time, there wasn’t a hockey talk but hard talk about winning,” said Arulselvaraj.