An exciting Sunday await hockey fans

Six matches, 30 goals and a rest day after, the action resumes here in Ipoh at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup competition.

Pool leaders New Zealand will lock horns with Pakistan in the first match, followed by Korea-Argentina cracker. The last match is billed for India and Great Britain.
With a couple of stunning show, New Zealand has set the pace for others to follow, though most would have assigned that role for the British team simply because it is the highly ranked team here in Ipoh, and has been very dominant of late.

The two quick goals from Faizal Saari took away the complacency from the British, but it has undoubtedly added much masala to the competition. With nothing to lose, the home team drew Korea with a goal midway in the second half before the three-minute blitzkrieg against the British.
Malaysian hockey needs mass support, and the performances such as this can help achieve those lofty goals.

The scheduling of the matches are such that it does not consider the convenience of the fans.

Firstly, no matches on Saturday. Maximum crowd comes on Saturday nights, but the organizers here chose to make it a rest day, and then secondly, the home team is not playing on Sunday. No action on Saturday and absence of home team on Sunday must be disappointing for the Ipoh fans. Be it as it may.

New Zealand is a team to catch up with by others here.

When a reporter asked when was the last time New Zealand defeated India on a high score such as this (1-5), captain Dean Couzins in the press meet said last year it was 6-2. However, coach McLeaod was quick to correct him, with a right score of 7-3. So the coach knows everything, where he was and where is now. With veteran Ryan Archibald, Andy Hayward, Philip Furrows and Simon Child in their elements, they are equal to the task here, and made their intentions clear as to what they aim.

After two heavy loses, Argentina has a big task on hand. The Pan American team caved in before Pakistan and New Zealand but today is different when takes on another poor shower Korea.
In a way, the duo’s today encounter will very much decide their fate in the crucial Azlan Shah Cup competition.

However, it should be conceded that Argentina has got a not so favorable scheduling, had to play first match on two consecutive days. It is too much for any team to come upon.

Pakistan had two days rest and will not face New Zealand. The Kiwis did not concede much penalty corners so far. Pakistan will be in trouble if they fail to earn enough penalty corners and give much leeway to Sohail Abbas. Pakistanis’ fancy for field goals might prove to be their undoing.

India as well might face the same problem. Coach Michael Nobbs is on record that the Indians mindset of going for fancy shots once in the circle, instead of going for penalty corners when needed, has takers.

India too need to use their skills to manufacture penalty corners to put man in form Sandeep Singh in action.

Whatever, three good matches will make up a good Sunday. Back home in India, the good news is Neo Sports Channel will be telecast Live India – British match.