Sultan Azlan Shah Cup: Pathetic Malaysia virtually out of final after loss to Argentina

Malaysia played one of their worst games and were hammered 0-5 by Argentina in the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament here last night.

With the defeat, Malaysia are virtually out of the final as they only have three points from a win and two losses.

Argentina, with 10 points after their third win in four matches, need just one win in their two remaining matches to seal a place in the final. The Argentines face New Zealand tomorrow and Canada on Saturday.

The Malaysians were pathetic yesterday, making numerous errors in defence and failing to create much up front.

Argentina, who failed to qualify for the Beijing Olympics, played a fast attacking game from the start but had to wait until the 18th minute to open accounts when Facundo Callioni turned in Nicolas Mario Almada’s cross from the right.



Eight minutes later Callioni got his second goal off a penalty corner set piece.

Trailing 0-2, the Malaysian forwards got their game going and even earned two penalty corners, which came to nought.

Malaysia’s task was made even more difficult when defender Jiwa Mohan was sent to the sin bin in the 40th minute for bringing down Callioni outside the D.

Malaysia’s problems worsened seven minutes later.

Argentina were awarded a penalty stroke when defender Mohd Madzli Ikmar Mohd Noor stopped a penalty corner flick with his body.

Umpire Peter Alan Wright of South Africa pointed to the spot and Ignacio Juan Gilardi cooly converted. Argentina 3-0.

Argentina piled on the pressure to make it 5-0 through Hernan Lucas Cammareri’s close range attempt in the 54th minute and a Tomas Innocente Argento field goal in the 68th minute.

National coach Sarjit Singh said the defeat taught his players a good lesson – that they must stay focused for full 70 minutes.

”We made several mistakes in defence and gave away some soft goals. We also allowed the Argentines to control the midfield and they made full use of their chances,” said Sarjit.

Although he was unhappy that his players wasted a number of penalty corners, Sarjit admitted that they lost to a better team.

“However, I am pleased with my boys’ attitude as they did not give up and kept attacking until the final minute,” said Sarjit.

Argentian coach Jose Carlos Retegui was understandably delighted with the win.

“We never expected to beat Malaysia 5-0 as they played well in the first two matches against Pakistan and New Zealand,” said Retegui.

“The win has put us in a good position to qualify for the final.”