The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- National hockey side down host China to keep top four hopes alive
- Chance for Khe Wei-Vivian to consolidate position in Taipei
- Honda’s Azlan Shah wants to make up for lost ground in ARRC
| National hockey side down host China to keep top four hopes alive Posted: 06 Sep 2011 07:04 PM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia bounced back from two defeats to beat host China 4-2 to stay in contention for a top-four finish in the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy at the Yijinhuoluo Hockey Stadium in Ordos, China, yesterday. But the result of the day belonged to Japan, who came back from a goal down to stun Guangzhou Asian Games gold medallist Pakistan 3-1. Against China, Malaysia got off to a blistering start when Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin beat three defenders to score from the top D in the seventh minute. Mohd Amin Rahim then doubled the lead off their second penalty corner attempt in the 23rd minute. China, who also lost their first two matches to India and Pakistan, hit back with two penalty corner goals by Liu Yixian. His first came in the 29th minute and the second six minutes later. Malaysia, who finished runners-up to Pakistan in Guangzhou, then stepped up their game to score another two goals in the second half. Forward Izwan Firdaus made it 3-2 with a field goal in the 53rd minute before Faizal Saari sealed victory with a penalty corner goal in the 60th minute. Malaysia, who lost 2-3 to Pakistan and 3-4 to South Korea, must beat India today if they are to take a step closer to achieving their target. But it won't be easy though as India defeated South Korea 5-3 yesterday to top the standings with seven points from two wins and draw. India had earlier hammered China 5-0 and drew 1-1 with Japan. Another defeat or a draw for Malaysia will surely end their hopes of qualifying for the third-placing playoff. Malaysia will wrap up the fixtures against Japan on Friday. National team manager Stephen van Huizen was full of praise for his boys' performance against China. "We started off well by taking a 2-0 lead but allowed China two score two penalty corner goals. But at least we played much better in the second-half to score two goals," said Stephen in a telephone interview. "Midfielder Nabil Fiqri (Mohd Nor) is doubtful for tomorrow's match (against India) after suffering a knock on his thigh today. "It was a good win and we are still in contention for a top-four finish. Japan have four points after their surprise win over Pakistan today. So we have to collect full points against India to keep our hopes alive. Malaysia last played against India at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh in May, losing 2-5. But the story of the day is still Japan's win over Pakistan, who shot off the blocks with a fifth-minute lead through Rizwan Muhammad. But Japan, who finished fifth in Guangzhou, equalised in the 35th minute through Kayukawa Koji off a penalty corner. Tanaka Kenta then turned hero for Japan by scoring a two-minute brace in the 62nd and 64th minutes. |
| Chance for Khe Wei-Vivian to consolidate position in Taipei Posted: 06 Sep 2011 06:57 PM PDT PETALING JAYA: National women's doubles pair Woon Khe Wei and Vivian Hoo have a great chance to strengthen their position as the second-ranked combination in the country when the first round of the Taiwan Open begins in Taipei today. With top pair Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty nearing the end of their careers, Khe Wei-Vivian have shown remarkable improvement of late to show that they mean business. Khe Wei-Vivian, who were partners during their junior years, were reunited by women's double coach Pang Cheh Chang in June in a bid to qualify for the London Olympics next year. The duo staged a fine run to reach the semi-finals of the Thailand Open in June and last month they did well to reach the quarter-finals of the Vietnam Open. Despite being ranked a lowly 115th in the world, Khe Wei-Vivian have certainly performed much better compared to other higher ranked national pairs and could be the surprise package in the Jakarta SEA Games in November. In Taipei, the unseeded Khe Wei-Vivian are well poised to reach the quarter-finals, at least. They face Indonesia's Imawan Gebby Ristiyani-Nuraidah Tiara Rosalia in the first round. If they clear that hurdle, they could face either Singapore's Fu Mingtian-Xing Aiying or Taiwan's Chou Chia Chi-Yang Chia Chen next. A stern test awaits them in the form of fourth seeds Valeri Sorokina-Nina Vislova if they reach the quarter-finals. Besides Khe Wei-Vivian, Malaysia have three other pairs in the fray – Marylen Ng-Lim Yin Loo, Lai Pei Jing-Sabrina Chong and Ng Hui Lin-Ng Hui Ern. But these pairs are expected to struggle in the early rounds. In the qualifiying rounds yesterday, women's singles shuttler Sannatasah Saniru was the only Malaysian in action – failing to clear her first hurdle by going down 16-21, 18-21 to local lass Chi Ya Cheng. That means Malaysia will only have two shuttlers in the women's singles main draw – Tee Jing Yi and Lydia Cheah. |
| Honda’s Azlan Shah wants to make up for lost ground in ARRC Posted: 06 Sep 2011 06:56 PM PDT PETALING JAYA: Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman wants to make up for lost ground in the SuperSports 600cc category of the Petronas Asia Road Racing Championships when Round 4 begins at the Autopolis International Racing Course in Japan this weekend. The Boon Siew Honda Racing Malaysia rider came close to snatching his first victory of the season in the previous leg in Chennai, India. With two laps to go, Azlan was in the lead when he lost control of his bike. He went on to finish in a disappointing 14th spot. Now, he can't wait to end his winless streak when Round 4 revs off in Japan. "I wasted a good opportunity in India. I really wanted to win. I was not 100% fit and made a costly mistake," said Azlan, who last tasted victory back in 2009 – at the Autopolis. The 27-year-old Azlan is ready to put his India nightmare behind him and focus on the task at hand in Japan. "I won't be thrown off my game just because the Japanese riders – Katsuaki Fujiwara and Toshiyuki Hamaguchi – have home ground advantage and I will be riding in their territory. "We have a strong technical team and I am confident they can prepare a competitive bike. "Besides, with four-time All-Japan SuperSports 600cc champion Yoshiteru Konishi as my mentor and trainer, I believe I will be able to rise to the challenge." Azlan is currently second in the overall standings with 84 points after five podium finishes in six races. Japanese ace Fujiwara (Manual-Tech BEET Kawasaki Racing) leads the way with 114.5 points while Petronas Yamaha Malaysia's Mohd Zamri Baba is third with 65 points. |
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