Malaysian Coach: It’s a bitter lesson for my boys
Crestfallen, yet trying to be composed and willing to smile. It was Stepehen van Huien, Malaysian coach who saw his team doing so well against World No. 6 team India yet conceding a goal in the dying moments to lose full points. So near yet so far for Stephen, who took over Malaysian coaching for one more of many spells he had so far, recently and is moulding a crack outfit.

He spoke to www.stick2hockey.com exclusively after the India-Malaysia match witnessed by full stands.

” “We worked hard. We played well enough. We fought well. We were one man down in the last quarter. We deserved a draw. Unfortunately, its international hockey where experience counts. We should have put pressure on India in the last quarter and extracted a draw at least”.

On conceding goal in the last moments, polite Stephen has a different but holistic view.

”Last moments, oh, it always happens so. Everybody talks about last minute. Nothing special. We should exercise control and put it away like Rupinder did for India. But I would say that it happens in sports, nothing new. Pakistan, Korea won here scoring in last minutes, aren’t they?

Stephen also sees positives in the last spell this way:

”India is an experienced side. They are a different class than we are at the moment. Now we talk about missing a point or losing in last minutes means boys are putting out very good efforts, and moving in right direction. In terms of effort, my boys were second to none today, not less than India’s. It a bitter lesson for my boys, and it’s the way things are”.

The match was fought on penalty corners whether one uses it or misses out. Malaysia has got more penalty corners than India, but did not score enough.

Stepehen reflected on this: “Yes, we did not score many through penalty corners. We had ideas what to do, the plans in place but in execution we have to go a long way. Rupinder got a chance and he put it away, and we will also be doing that way. Its hard lessons for my boys”.

On mentioned about Kumar Subramaniam’s goalkeeping that kept rampaging Indians at bay in the first quarter and then generally thorough out rest of the match, Stephen agrees and goes beyond individual to paint a full picture.

” Kumar is always a strong point for us, he is important in our plan. But not just Kumar, entire defence worked very hard today”.

”We working towards preparing for the Qualifiers. Anytime you play against strong teams, you keep improving, work harder. Results matter, and will come”.