Sultan Azlan Shah Cup: Malaysia confident of beating Kiwis in second match

After a sizzling performance against Pakistan on Thursday, the Malaysian players are in high spirit and confident of getting the better of New Zealand in the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament today.

However, Malaysia’s last two meetings with New Zealand ended in defeats. They lost 1-4 in the World Cup qualifiers in China in 2006 and were beaten 1-0 in the Olympic qualifiers in Madrid in 2004.

The Kiwis have three points from two matches. They edge India 4-3 before going down to Pakistan 3-6.

New Zealand qualified for the Beijing Olympics after defeating Argentina 3-2 in the qualifiers in Auckland in February.

National coach Sarjit said that the Kiwis definitely have a psychological advantage because of their two previous victories.

“We can expect a strong challenge from New Zealand, who have qualified for the Beijing Olympics.

“However, I am confident that my boys will rise to the occasion especially after their good display against Pakistan,” said Sarjit, who guided the Malaysia team to reach the final in the Sultan Azlan Shah meet last year.

Malaysia played a superb game against Pakistan and took the lead twice before going down 2-3 in their opening match.

The national players thrilled the fans with an all-out attacking game from the start to end but the forwards failed to score.

Midfielder Kelvinder Singh gave Malaysia the lead in the first minute before defender Mohd Amin Rahim scored off a penalty corner in the match against Pakistan.

Sarjit said that he wants another good showing from his team against the Kiwis.

“We went on the offensive from the first whistle against Pakistan and scored in the very first minute.

“And I want them to play an all-out attacking game again.

“We created many chances against Pakistan but the forwards was just unlucky not to score.

Sarjit said forwards like Chua Boon Huat, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin, Ismail Abu, S. Selvaraju and Mohd Amerullah Abdul Aziz must be very sharp in the D and make full of their chances against the Kiwis.

“It’s no point creating the chances but failing to score.”

Sarjit has warned his boys to be wary of Kiwi defender Hayden Shaw, who is good with his penalty corner drag flicks.

Shaw scored two penalty corner goals against Pakistan on Friday.

Sarjit said that he is also banking on Amin to score goals from penalty corners. Malaysia’s other penalty corner flickers are Jiwa Mohan, Baljit Singh Sarjab and Chua Boon Huat.

Malaysia, who failed to qualify for the Olympics are using the Sultan Azlan Shah meet to prepare a strong team for next year’s Asia Cup, which will be a qualifying meet for the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi.