Malaysiaâs Speedy Tigers will now need to redeem their pride by getting the better of South Korea in their last pool match of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup (SAS Cup) International Invitational hockey tournament in Ipoh tomorrow.
Coach Sarjit Singhâs hopes of an improved performance in the 31st edition of the SAS Cup were shattered on Thursday night following the 1-9 defeat against World No 3 Belgium.
The defeat now leaves the Malaysians, who dropped to fifth spot in the table standings behind Canada, to be at their best and not commit errors against the Koreans, who are reeling at the basement of the table standings with no points following four consecutive defeats.
A win over the Koreans on Saturday (Oct 29) will bring a glimpse of hope to the Speedy Tigers in their target of qualifying for the bronze medal playoff match.
âThe score is not good, but we need to work harder. That’s all I can say. I think we will get better, and soon. So, the boys need to wake up after this 9-1 defeat. We have to win every match we play. We have to win against the Koreans because we need to at least play for third and fourth placing. That is very important for us,â he said.
âBut if Canada need to beat India first, then we will play our normal game against Korea to win the match. We have to worry about our match more than any other match,â he said.
Belgium led the standings with 10 points, followed closely by India (9 pts), New Zealand (7 pts), and Canada (4 pts). Saturdayâs matches will be a crucial test for Belgium, who go head-to-head against Nations Cup champions New Zealand, while the Indians will face a litmus test against the Canadians who are eager to rise in their game after the 3-2 victory over Korea.
In all previous matches, the Speedy Tigers were well on their way to a winning position. But the old habit of giving the ball away and losing control of their own game saw them struggle to get back into the game.
âI think after the first match against the Koreans, the Belgians started to show why they are world No 3. The way they moved the ball was very sleek and very smooth and very quick. They know where the players are moving and all that,â said Sarjit. We also moved the ball well, but our basic skills and our running into the space let us down.
âOf course, the score is not good for us. We should have scored a couple of goals also. But performance-wise, I think at least we moved the ball well. At least we also had check time. We challenged them, but they were just too good today.â
He added that there were a number of soft goals Belgium scored which had basically worsened the situation in Malaysiaâs comeback mission.
âSo, these kinds of soft goals we shouldn’t have allowed and which we are still allowing. But as we know, this is a very good match we got. And even the score! At least our boys know what our level is against them. We need to work hard. We need to make our basics strong. And we need to move the ball like how Belgium moves the ball. When there is no gap, they transfer the ball back,â added Sarjit.
The Speedy Tigers head coach wants the players to have patience on the field in the remaining matches of the SAS Cup and take control of their game.
