The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Australia’s hockey team outclass Malaysia to claim eighth title Posted: 23 Mar 2014 08:55 AM PDT Australia triumphed in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup today, claiming their eighth title by smashing home team Malaysia 8-3. Both teams are World Cup-bound, and this tournament signals their preparations for the event to be held from late May. But there was no question that the Australians – defending champions and two-time World Cup winners – were far superior to all the other teams in this year's meet held in Ipoh. The world number one was in fiery form from the start in the final as they took a 3-1 first-half lead against the world number 13. Chris Ciriello slammed in two penalty corners in the fifth and 17th minutes to set the pace. Eddie Ockenden was also on target in the 11th minute of the match, which often had the Malaysians backpedalling in defence. Late in the first-half the Malaysians hit a purple patch, which saw them earn three penalty corners. The effort in the 24th minute bore fruit with Shahril Saabah scoring from close range. Malaysia, who have made it to four cup finals but never won, then started off the second-half strongly with a goal in the 40th minute through Rashid Baharom. But Ciriello was on target for his hat-trick in the 42nd minute to keep his team in control. Nick Budgeon scored in the 46th minute before Ciriello hit home his fourth goal in the 53rd minute. In the 65th minute Matt Gohdes scored the seventh goal, while Fitri Saari reduced the deficit with a field goal two minutes later. Tristan White earned the final goal for the Australians in the 68th minute to cap their triumph. Besides Australia and Malaysia, among this cup's teams, South Korea and South Africa have also qualified for the World Cup in The Hague, Netherlands. South Korea grabbed the tournament's third spot Sunday with Jang Jong-Hyun's last gasp penalty corner conversion, which allowed them to edge out China 3-2. Jang scored a brace in the match, and it was his second with just three seconds on the clock that allowed South Korea to take the match. Earlier, Canada beat a fast tiring South African side 2-0 for fifth place. Canada, who were beaten 2-3 by the South Africans in the preliminary round match, were aided by the wasteful South African forward line. For the first time this year, India and Pakistan did not participate in the annual event. India had opted out saying that it will affect their World Cup preparations, while the Pakistanis cited lack of funds for declining the invitation. Pakistan failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time ever and will also miss the Commonwealth Games later this year. – AFP, March 23, 2014. |
| Dortmund captain Kehl to retire in 2015 Posted: 23 Mar 2014 06:50 AM PDT The 34-year-old, who made the last of his 31 appearances for Germany at the 2006 World Cup, joined Dortmund in 2002. Kehl scored for Dortmund in last Wednesday's 2-1 defeat at home to Zenit St Peterburg as Borussia went through to the Champions League quarter-finals 5-4 on aggregate having won the first leg 4-2. "Borussia Dortmund, our wonderful team, fans and the city of Dortmund has been my home for many years, so I have decided to continue my stay," said the defensive midfielder. "The decision to end my active career in 2015 has been growing and I hope to still experience some unforgettable moments and great success with the team until then." Kehl has made 289 appearances in the Bundesliga and was part of the teams which won the Bundesliga title in 2002 and 2011, plus 2012 when Borussia won the league and cup double. He was in the squad which lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich in last season's Champions League final at Wembley. "Sebastian is an important leader for us with his huge amount of experience and, on top of that, he is a valuable role model," said Dortmund's director of sport Michael Zorc. "We are very happy that he wants to stay with us until 2015 and wants to end his impressive career in the Dortmund shirt." With both defensive midfielders Sven Bender and Ilkay Gundogan injured, Kehl has been a regular in the Dortmund team this season, forming a partnership alongside ex-Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder Nuri Sahin. – AFP, March 23, 2014. |
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