* Perlis-born forward earns his 200th cap
* Second win for Malaysia in as many matches
A muffed penalty stroke, a disallowed goal from a penalty corner could not stop a fired up Malaysia from notching a 4-2 win over Ireland in a Group B match in the World League semi-final at the KHC Dragons Stadium in Antwerp, Belgium on Tuesday.
While the win over Ireland gave Malaysia maximum points from two matches and a place at the top of the group, it was a milestone for Malaysia’s Perlis-born Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin who picked up his 200th cap.
Malaysia won their opening match – which was against China 3-2 – on Sunday.
On Thursday, Malaysia displayed a far better attacking game of hockey but once again lapses in defence allowed the Irish to level the score at 2-2
Forward Izwan Firdaus turned out to be Malaysia’s trump card with a brace – opening the scoring for Malaysia in the 12th minutes and closing the accounts in the 55th minutes.
Malaysia were awarded a penalty stroke on 53 minutes but skipper Razie Rahim saw his flick saved by Ireland goalkeeper David Harte. Earlier in the 42nd minutes Azlan Misron had a goal disallowed.
Ireland wiped out Izwan’s goal minutes after he scored when Pater Caruth was on target to beat Malaysian goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin. Malaysia were back in front with Razie scoring on 16th minutes only to see Shane O’ Donoghue make it 2-2 on 19 minutes.
Sukri Mutalib made it 3-1 for Malaysia in the 39th minute before Izwan hammered the killer blow in the 55th minute for a well deserved win.
“This win is special to me when achieving my 200th cap,” said a happy Tengku Ahmad.
