Malaysia in the final Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey 2013

Game between Malaysia and India

After failing in three previous attempts, Malaysia gets fourth chance to win the hockey history by Sultan Azlan Shah Cup for the first time as we move into the final of the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh yesterday.

Not only the national team managed to qualify to the final, even advanced along unbeaten after tie India 2-2, thus meet forecasts meet the 2010 World Cup champions, Australia's place in the final with defending champions downed New Zealand 3-2.

After 21 edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup runs, Malaysia have never won the championship, so this is an excellent opportunity for the children of Paul Revington change history, let alone convince them enough courage for the rest of the week.

Since the tournament was introduced in 1983, Malaysia occupying the 13th position in the ranking of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has ever set foot in three finals in 1985, 2007 and 2009. We lost to India two times (1985, 2009), as well as let down Australia in 2007.


Instead, Australia is ranked second in the world and cover the preliminary round with the top ever inhabit the title six times in 1983, 1996, 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2011.

More than 15,000 fans flooded the Azlan Shah Stadium yesterday to watch the India-Malaysia clash, which saw Faizal Saari perfect penalty shot in the final minute to keep unbeaten record was maintained.

Earlier, Leona also outstanding when Malaysia opened the scoring as early as the sixth minute with a penalty corner push goalkeeper India, PR Sreejesh.

However, India managed to equalize in the 20th minute when Mandeep Singh push beyond the reach of goalkeeper, S. Kumar.

In the second half, Malaysia, which has confirmed the final ticket before getting down to play the game to change the pattern of relatively relaxed for storing energy, including changing Kumar to Roslan Jamaluddin.

The situation was an opportunity for India to provide constant pressure and eventually they managed to get the second goal through a penalty corner Rupinder Pal Singh in the 48th minute.


However at the last minute game, Malaysia awarded a controversial penalty shot and Leona accomplishing good for thousands of spectators at the stadium rocked.

Earlier, Australia also maintained its unbeaten run by beating New Zealand 3-2 even miss 0-1 with goals from Jacob Smith in the 27th minute.

Australia scored three consecutive goals in the second half, thus destroying the dreams of New Zealand to advance to the final round, thanks to network Jacob Whetton (minutes 38 and 39) and Matt Gohdes in the 42nd minute.