Keevan Raj Kali of Malaysia
celebrates victory after defeating
South Africa.
In a surprise result, Malaysia defeated South Africa 2-1 in the Men’s Hockey Preliminary Round.
Early on the game was evenly balanced, but with just eight minutes to go in the first half Ian Symons of South Africa scored the first goal of the match. The half finished with just two other attempts at goal.
Ten minutes into the second half, Malaysia fought back to even the score. A great cross from Megat Azrafiq set up Logan Raj Kali for his second goal of the tournament. A minute later Malaysia scored again after Boon Huat Chua dispossessed South Africa’s Ken Forbes, putting Malaysia in front 2-1.
In the following match, Australia had a convincing 5-1 win against England in a fast-moving contest.
After the match, England’s captain Brett Garrard said: "It was a tough game. We felt we gave it a bit of a run but we still have more in us."
In his 100th international for Australia, a proud Aaron Hopkins commented: "It was fantastic. One of my goals was to play 100 games. It is significant for my career."
Pakistan blitzed Trinidad and Tobago, 7-1. Pakistan played strongly in the first half, scoring six goals.
Against the run of play, Trinidad and Tobago's only goal was scored by Dwain Quan Chan and the team's defence picked up in the second half, with Pakistan having trouble converting its opportunities. Muhammad Shabbir scored Pakistan's only goal of the half.
Scotland has defeated Canada 2-0. Both teams hadn't won a match in the competition and wasted valuable attacking opportunities through wild hitting and lack of movement in the forward line.
Scotland scored first in the 32nd minute. With a 1-0 lead, captain Michael Leonard was rock solid in defence and repeatedly repelled the Canadian attacks.
With only two minutes remaining, Scotland's David Ralph hit a field goal, which secured Scotland's first and only Hockey victory of the Games.
Canada now meets England on day seven.
- Games News Service
The Hockey competition is on until 26 March.
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