SOJC: M'sia Share A Point With Australia After 2-2 Draw

JOHOR BAHRU (Johor, Malaysia), Nov 2 (Bernama) -- The national junior hockey team had to settle for a point after a 2-2 draw with Australia in their second match of the 2016 Sultan of Johor Cup (SOJC) at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium here Tuesday night. The national junior hockey team under coach Wallace Tan almost scored in the the 19th minute but the attempt by Anuar Mohamad Akhimullah Esook in the D area was denied by Matthew Finn. The Australians launched relentless attacks but their efforts were in vain, thanks to 19-year-old, Muhammad Zaimi Mat Deris. In the second half, Nik Muhammad Aiman Nik Rozemi managed to break the deadlock through a penalty corner in the 39th minute before Tom Craig equalised in the 58th minute also through a penalty corner. The visitors' joy was short-lived when Mohamad Zulhamizan Awang Abas scored the second goal through a field goal a minute later. Australia's 2-2 equaliser came in the the 66th minute through Kiran Arunasalam's field goal. At the post-match press conference, Tan said his boys played better Tuesday but still needed to work on some weaknesses. "We should not have given room to Australia to score two goals," he said, Malaysia are scheduled to meet Pakistan in the third match at 8.30pm Wednesday. -- BERNAMA