They were four goals up after 11 minutes of play and were swarming all over the Americans. A goal rush appeared on the cards for the Malaysians. But it stopped and they started to give away possession of the ball and soon found themselves under attack.
National coach K. Rajan was incensed with the players for their casual display and for taking their feet off the pedal.
“This is what worries me most with this team. They had everything going for them but allowed the US to get back into the game,” he said.
“We needed to win by a big margin and we made it difficult for ourselves. All they had to do was keep to the structure and play their normal game.”
Malaysia got off to a good start and opened accounts in the second minute through Mohamed Izzat Abdul Rahim, who scored from close range. They kept up their speedy play and stretched the lead six minutes later with Mohamed Marhan Mohd Jamil scoring with reverse hit.
Malaysia earned a penalty stroke in the 10th minute and Faizal Saari made the conversion to put his team 3-0 up. A minute later, Mohamed Shafiq Mohamed Zain scored his first goal of the tournament with an effort from the top of the D.
The Malaysians eased the pressure on their opponents and the US had the first good look at goal in the 21st minute. Four minutes later, Nicholas Szoke narrowed the deficit for the Americans.
The US took the initiative in the second half and had the Malaysians pegged in defence. The Americans gained two penalty corners in the 42nd and 43rd minutes but nothing came off them. But from another penalty corner in the 56th minute, Jedidiah Cunningham scored with a high flick.
In the 63rd minute, Malaysia gained their first penalty corner and Faizal was on target with the high flick. But that was all the Malaysians came up with in the second half.
In Group A, Egypt finally secured a win — beating Russia 3-0 with goals by Eslam Basha, Ahmad Shestawy and Mohamed Hamide.
Malaysia: Abdul Hakim Adnan, Khairil Annuar, Ahmad Kazamirul Nasruddin, Mohd Sybrie, Mohamed Nor Hafiq Abdul Ghafar, Faizal Saari, Mohd Izzat Mohd Rahim, Mohd Noor Khairul Azrain, Izwan Firdaus, R. Nadesh, Mohd Marhan Jalil.
Reserves: Kavin Kartik, Wong Khee Hon, Jamil Mohd Saidin, Mohd Shafiq Mohd Zain, Harvinder Singh.
USA: Jonathan Ginolfi, Kevin Barber, Liam Walsh, Sebastian Schreuer, Amrit Ahluwalia, Kevin Segeren, Willam Holt, Ajai Dhadwal, jedidiah Cunningham, Nicholas Szoke, Dark Pelle.
Reserves: Tyler Sundeen, Colin Scally, Viren Padhiar, Manual Martinez, Ryan Sundeen.
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