May 06, 2007	Sunday	Rabi-us-Sani 18, 1428

IPOH (Malaysia), May 5: Hosts Malaysia and Pakistan drew 2-2 in an exciting game of attacking display as Australia opened their bid to take back the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup with a 1-0 victory over India here on Saturday.

Malaysia scored both their goals in the seventh and 29th minutes through Zulkifli Rejab and Ismail Abu respectively while Ehsanullah and Imran Warsi replied for Pakistan in the 13th and 42nd minutes.

Earlier, a solitary strike by Edward Ockenden, his first for the national team, in the 50th minute proved enough to take the match for the Aussies who endured hot, humid conditions to notch their three points at the Azlan Shah Stadium.

But the world number two team had to endure some close moments in the first half with the Indians, parading a number of youngsters, taking several good scoring chances.

Australian coach Colin Batch said they had expected a tough fight in the Group A match.

“For us to have got off with a win in the opening match is a good turn. We need to build on it and to go on from there. We did have several young players and Fergus Kavanagh had his first senior team outing,” he said.

“It is pleasing the way they took the match under difficult circumstances. But they need to learn to adapt to the conditions in international matches,” he added.

India had the first real look at the goal, with Rajpal Singh providing the edge on the left flank. But his three goal-bound crosses from the 10th minute found no takers.

India also won a penalty corner in the 10th minute, but Harpal Singh's hit was saved by goalkeeper Stephen Lambert.

In the second half, the Australians stepped up a gear and they had a penalty corner within five minutes in the second half. But Robert Hammond's flick was saved by goalkeeper Baljit Singh.

Ockenden provided the decisive strike in the 50th minute but despite two penalty corners the Australians failed to increase their lead.

Indian coach Joaquim Carvalho said they were happy to have matched the Australians.

“I'm extremely pleased with the players' performance as this showed that our young players have what it takes to play the big teams. We need to keep it up and this display will give us confidence for the coming matches,” he said.

Australia has been the most successful team at the tournament, winning in 1983, 1998, 2004 and 2005, and is the highest ranked outfit in Ipoh, in Malaysia's north.

South Korea also scored a 1-0 win over Canada in the opening Group B match. Jeong Yun-sang flicked the goal home in the 44th minute from a penalty corner. Australia will play Argentina on Sunday while Malaysia will take on Canada. The third match is between India and China.

Results:

Australia 1 India 0

South Korea 1 Canada 0

Malaysia 2 Pakistan 2.—AFP