Canadians Dejected After Giving Game Away

August 1, 2009

Knowing a win over Malaysia would put them into the championship match facing the Kookaburras, Canada held their fate in their own hands as they flew onto the pitch with a purpose.  Five minutes in, Wayne Fernandes flipped a penalty corner ball on net, requiring a deft save by Malaysia’s keeper.  A short while later Mark Pearson created a notable chance up the right side, but as the shot was denied, a counter attack ensued, leading to a corner scored the other way by Malaysia’s Faisal Saari.

Pearson, not allowing his side to wilt on this day, was back at it in the 20th minute, creating a commotion in the offensive end as he was gang tackled, forcing another penalty corner.  Although Fernandes was denied on his first attempt, a missed trap led to another corner on which he made no mistake. 

Only five minutes later, a Malaysian yellow card would lead to a great save off Ranjeev Deol’s stick, leading to yet another penalty corner goal, this time a pass from Fernandes to Scott Tupper as Canada achieved their first lead of the tournament.

Unfortunately, Canada’s first half defensive precision would not continue in the second, as Malaysia improved their control of the ball.   Just three minutes in, Saari scored his second goal to tie the match, and at the 64th minute, Muhammad Rahim clinched the win, with both goals on corners. 

Canada never gave up, coming as close as a blocked corner attempt in the final minute, but ultimately an untidy defensive effort did the team in.

A disappointed Head Coach Alan Brahmst had this to say on the match, “It was a completely unnecessary loss.  We played a good first half, had a couple of errors and turnovers in the second half, but poor countering hockey is what hurt us.  At the end of the day penalty corners hurt us and our penalty corner defense was questionable.  That’s what led to the loss.”

Canada will now play Australia A for third place on Sunday at 1 P.M local time.