Joel Carrol came up with a stunner of a shot that went into the goal between otherwise impregnable and inimitable goalie Kumar Subramaniam and the right post just a couple of seconds left in the clock for the game to stretch into the extra time, and with that the crowd was silenced and the Cup went to Australia, seventh time, highest by anyside in the annals of the world’s oldest invitational tournament.
For the Australians, who used body ruthlessly to push and shovel smaller in physique but higher on spirit Malaysians, changed the game plan in the last 5, 6 minutes, using long shots and pushes, clinical interceptions inside the D, did not wait for the extra time, unlike the hosts who seemed ready for it and were just relaxed to defend those last few seconds.
They paid for it
Malaysia really played best of their game. They surprised Australia with a penalty corner conversion by Faizal Saari, whose stature is fast emerging as a star in Malaysia, and then when the Malaysians conceded two goals in three minutes around lemon time, it was expected one-sided ride for the mighty Aussies.
However, when Tengku Tajuddin equalized, the things took a turn in favour of the hosts, but they missed out three penalty corners subsequently, leaving scope for last minute reversals, which it turned out to be.
By and large, Malaysians, often the whipping boy of the tournament against home crowd, for once shed the sluggish approach to game, instead showcased great athleticism and fitness levels to match the young but well-grind Aussie machine.