JOHOR BARU: Malaysia paid a heavy price for their lacklustre display against England in the World Hockey League semi-final tournament on Tuesday.
The complacent hosts lost 2-1 to end up third and a meeting with Olympic champions Germany in the knockout stage on Thursday.
Malaysia needed just a draw to stay as leaders in Group B and enjoy an easier match-up for the knockout stage.
But, alas, England turned the tables on the hosts to get a win and second place in the standings. Pakistan topped the table after beating South Africa 6-2. Malaysia finished third while South Africa ended up fourth.
The line-up for the knockout quarter-final stage see Group A champions Argentina meeting South Africa, England facing Japan, Pakistan meeting South Korea and Group A runners-up Germany taking on Malaysia.
England took the took the lead in the 20th minute off their first penalty corner. Richard Smith was the goal scorer.
Malaysia came back into the game in the 28th minute, also through a penalty corner hit. Mohamed Razie Rahim’s first shot was blocked by goalkeeper Jacobi Nicholas but a lurking Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin got to the rebound to slot home the equaliser.
Play was confined to the middle of the pitch in the second half and it was the English who had the better goal scoring chances.
And they capitalised on Malaysia’s poor defending in the 58th minute when skipper Barry Middleton beat goalkeeper S. Kumar from close range for a 2-1 lead.
Malaysia coach Paul Revington said the team’s performance was off a little and they did not take their chances.
“We also had only two penalty corners and one went in through a rebound. But then against a good opponent you have to work hard and try to make sure you do not allow them space,” said Revington.
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