Malaysia Out Of 2010 World Cup Hockey Finals (BERNAMA)

November 15, 2009 14:33 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup Hockey Finals after losing 1-2 to New Zealand in the qualifiers final in Invercargill, New Zealand, on Sunday.

Two goals by the hosts through penalty corners in the second half wiped out the early 1-0 lead Malaysia had in the first half.

Coach Tai Beng Hai's boys could not hold on to the advantage garnered by Muhammad Razie Abd Rahim in the 18th minute off a penalty corner.

New Zealand came back stronger after the interval and equalised in the 57th minute through Andrew Hayward whose shot beat keeper S. Kumar.

The equaliser inspired the New Zealand players, dubbed the "Black Sticks", and Hayward clinched the winner three minutes later.

The Malaysian players could have scored in the second half, but failed to convert three penalty corners.

The victory enabled New Zealand to book their place in the 2010 World Cup finals scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India, from Feb 28 to March 13.

This is the second time in a row that Malaysia have failed to make it to a World Cup finals, the first being in 2006.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said here that the team played well considering that they were up against the hosts in the final.

"They played extraordinarily well in the match against China (winning 3-0) and we expected them to do just as well today," he told reporters.

Malaysia was ranked 16th in the world going into the qualifying tournament, behind New Zealand (ranked 8th) and China (13th).

-- BERNAMA

Malaysia gagal ke New Delhi (Kosmo Online)

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SKUAD hoki negara gagal menempah tiket ke pusingan akhir Kejohanan Hoki Piala Dunia 2010 selepas tewas 1-2 kepada New Zealand pada perlawanan akhir pusingan kelayakan di Invercagill, New Zealand semalam.

Dengan kemenangan itu, New Zealand menempah tiket ke pusingan akhir di New Delhi, India pada 28 Februari hingga 13 Mac tahun depan.

Pada perlawanan tersebut, New Zealand ketinggalan 0-1 menerusi pukulan sudut penalti Razie Abd Rahim pada minit ke-18.

Bagaimanapun, Andy Hay- ward menjadi wira New Zealand apabila menjaringkan dua gol pantas menerusi pukulan sudut penalti pada minit ke-57 dan ke-60.

Penolong pengurus skuad hoki negara, M. Gobinathan berkata, nasib tidak menyebelahi pemain negara meskipun mendahului 1-0.

"Kami beraksi dengan cukup baik pada awal perlawanan, namun nasib tidak memihak kepada kami," katanya.

Katanya, meskipun pemain melakukan yang terbaik namun ia tidak cukup kerana pemain New Zealand lebih menyerlah.

"Pemain memberi yang terbaik dan secara peribadi, jurulatih Tai Beng Hai dan Nor Saiful Zaini telah bekerja keras untuk mengembalikan kegemilangan hoki negara.

PASUKAN Malaysia tewas 1-2 kepada New Zealand pada pusingan kelayakan semalam.

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"Saya akan mencadangkan dalam laporan saya, yang kedua- dua jurulatih ini dikekalkan membimbing skuad negara," kata Gobinathan.

Menurutnya, masa depan juru- latih Beng Hai bergantung kepada prestasi skuad hoki negara yang beraksi di Invercargill ini.

Pada pusingan kelayakan ini, Malaysia yang menghuni ranking ke-16 dunia, menduduki tangga kedua keseluruhan dengan 10 mata di belakang New Zealand (15 mata) manakala China ketiga dengan sembilan mata.

Malaysia Out Of 2010 World Cup Hockey Finals (BERNAMA)

November 15, 2009 14:33 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup Hockey Finals after losing 1-2 to New Zealand in the qualifiers final in Invercargill, New Zealand, on Sunday.

Two goals by the hosts through penalty corners in the second half wiped out the early 1-0 lead Malaysia had in the first half.

Coach Tai Beng Hai's boys could not hold on to the advantage garnered by Muhammad Razie Abd Rahim in the 18th minute off a penalty corner.

New Zealand came back stronger after the interval and equalised in the 57th minute through Andrew Hayward whose shot beat keeper S. Kumar.

The equaliser inspired the New Zealand players, dubbed the "Black Sticks", and Hayward clinched the winner three minutes later.

The Malaysian players could have scored in the second half, but failed to convert three penalty corners.

The victory enabled New Zealand to book their place in the 2010 World Cup finals scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India, from Feb 28 to March 13.

This is the second time in a row that Malaysia have failed to make it to a World Cup finals, the first being in 2006.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said here that the team played well considering that they were up against the hosts in the final.

"They played extraordinarily well in the match against China (winning 3-0) and we expected them to do just as well today," he told reporters.

Malaysia was ranked 16th in the world going into the qualifying tournament, behind New Zealand (ranked 8th) and China (13th).

-- BERNAMA