* Close call for the juniors in 4-3 win on shootout
* Myanmar win bronze
Malaysia escaped with gold medal in the men’s hockey final a after a rather lucky 4-3 win on penalty shootout at the Sengkang Stadium on Saturday.
It was a close call for Arul Selvaraj and his boys after Singapore forced a 2-2 draw in normal time although Malaysia looked like easy winners with a 2-0 lead with the first goal from Aminuddin Mohd Taib comingt on 14 minutes.
It was a good 45 minutes before Malaysia added to their tally and it came via a penalty corner which was converted by Azwar Abdul Rahman. If Malaysia though that it was good enough for more goals and that the gold was already their for the taking they were surprised with Singapore’s fighting spirit.
The hosts, with the backing of their vociferous home fans stunned Malaysia after 51 minutes when Abdul Hafiz reduced the deficit with a field goal. The fight was on and Malaysia had to work extra hard to check their opponents.
The local fans and supporters had plenty to cheer when skipper Enrico Marican scored a beautiful field goal just before the buzzer and the fight was on.
Malaysia’s experience in penalty shootouts made the difference with Aiman Nik Rozemi, Ashran Hamsani, Najmi Farizal Jazlan and Nor Azrul Abdul Rahman on target while Singapore replied through Silas Noor, Farhan Kamsani and Sabri Yuhari.
Fast improving Myanmar whipped Thailand 5-1 to win the bronze with forward Thun Thet Paing hitting a brace in the 1st and 25th minutes. The other scorers were Win Than Htut (61st)m Hwe They (67th) and Zaw Hein Min (69th). Thailand’s solitary goal came from Samoethep Srikit in the 54th minute.
