Penalty corners the only blot in Speedy Tigers’ fine Korean outing

Stop right there!: Speedy Tigers’ Amirul Hamizan Azahar (second from left) trying to stop a South Korean player from advancing during their friendly match. — MHC

PETALING JAYA: South Korea have always been a tough opposition for the Malaysian hockey team in major events and playing them at their home turf is never easy.

However, the Speedy Tigers have done considerably well in their four friendly matches at the Jincheon National Training Centre where they have matched a full-strength Korean team stride for stride.

Malaysia, who started the series with a 2-2 draw on June 21, lost 2-3 two days later but came back strongly to snatch another 2-2 draw in the third match on June 25 before concluding their campaign on a high by edging the hosts 2-1 on Tuesday.

The fact that the Koreans were using the friendlies to finalise their Asian Games squad, and had fielded their best players meant that Malaysia can hold their heads high for a job well done.

The last time Malaysia played South Korea in an official FIH event, they lost 1-0 in the group stage and were thumped 4-0 in the third placing playoff at the Nations Cup in Potchefstroom, South Africa, in December last year.

So it was a much improved performance by the Tigers in Jincheon.

While the Tigers scored seven field goals and one via a penalty stroke, they did not convert any penalty corners during the friendlies.

Thus, Arulselvaraj is aiming to increase the focus on penalty corners in order to improve the chances of winning tight matches.

“We made many circle penetrations but the outcome wasn’t good and we need to create more penalty corners (during attacks),” said Arulselvaraj.

“While there were plenty of field goals, what we need is to focus more on earning and converting penalty corners.

“We played a Korean team that went full swing in all the four matches. Because of this, we are able to gauge their strength but we must also remember that they would have taken notice of our strengths and weaknesses.”

South Korea will be one of Malaysia’s main rivals at the Asian Games (Sept 23-Oct 8) where the champions in Hangzhou will qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai from Aug 3-12 will be the final tune-up where Malaysia will be joined by South Korea, hosts India, Pakistan, Japan and China.