World University Games : Malaysia gets hammered by Canada

Malaysia suffered their heaviest defeat to date at the World University Games football competition, as they lost 5-1 to Canada a ninth-12th placing classification match yesterday.

Canada opened accounts as early as the 10th minute through Gagandeep Dosanjh and followed up with a second just before the break through captain Jamaal Smith.

It did not take long to add to their tally in the second half as Dominic Antonini netted in the 50th minute.

Malaysia managed their solitary goal seven minutes later through K. Rueben Thayarapan.

Canada followed up with another two goals through Jefferson Hamilton and substitute Joshua Northey in the 73rd and 90th minutes.

Malaysia will next meet either Columbia or the Czech Republic in the 11th-12th place playoff.

World University Games : No luck for Malaysia as they go down to Russia

The Malaysian football team ended the group stage of the World University Games (Universiade) without a win after losing 2-0 to Russia in their final match yesterday. Heavy rain in the first half saw both side finding it hard to keep possession of the ball in the opening minutes.

Russia, however, soon settled down and in the eighth minute, managed to score from close range through winger Oleg Pravilo but he was ruled offside.

Striker K. Reuben Thayaparan had a chance to put Malaysia ahead in the 22nd minute but could only head wide a cross from Fahrul Razi Kamarudin.
Russia got their first goal three minutes later through a stunning long distance strike by Pravilo.

Russia added to their score three minutes before halftime when striker Dmitry Ryzhov capitalised on a misunderstanding between Bunyamin Umar and Aiman Syazwan Abdullah in the penalty box to give his side a 2-0 lead.

Russia seemed to step off the gas in the second half, happy with their lead and were content to frustrate the Malaysian side by keeping possession.

Coach Aminuddin Hussin said he had expected a tough match against the Russian side but was not going to mull on the loss and preferred to focus on the classification games ahead.

"The boys tried their best today (yesterday) but Russia were just too good for us," said Aminuddin.

Malaysia play their next match tomorrow but will be without Muhd Nursalam and Khairul Naim Mahyuddin who are both suspended.

World University Games : Malaysia go down to Brazil

Malaysia put up a good fight but were defeated 2-1 by Brazil in the Group B match of the World University Games football competition at the Shenzhen Bao An Xixiang Stadium yesterday.

Malaysia started the match positively, earning themselves a free kick in a dangerous position but Muhammad Nursalam Zainal Abidin hit wide in the fourth minute.

Two minutes later, a goalmouth melee almost saw Mohd Nasril Izzat Jalil put the national team ahead if not for the quick reflexes of Brazil goalkeeper Carlos Nunes.

The trend was however not to last for long as Brazil soon settled down into their flowing short passing game which kept the Malaysians frustrated and allowed striker Jefersom Beger to test Malaysia keeper Norhadi Ubaidillah from close range in the 11th minute but was tipped wide by the latter.

Brazil made the breakthrough in the 19th minute through an individual effort by Berger who slid the ball past Norhadi from close range to give his side the lead, going into the break.

The second half played out to the same tune with Brazil having the majority of possession and had numerous shots saved by an on-form Norhadi.

Brazil took advantage of an increasingly pressured Malaysian side in search of an equaliser by scoring on the counter-attack, again through Berger in the 69th minute.

Malaysia's constant pressure yielded dividends in the 88th minute when substitute Muhammad Afham Zulkipeli was felled in the penalty box.

Midfielder Bunyamin Umar calmly stepped up to the spot to convert but the goal was not enough to stop the team from losing the match 2-1.

The loss to Brazil, after a defeat by Ukraine in their first match, had put Malaysia out of the running for the quarterfinals. The team will face Russia in their last group match tomorrow.

World University Games : National team praised for good effort

Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung is delighted with the national football team's performance in their first match against defending champions Ukraine at the World University Games (Universiade), Shenzhen on Thursday.

Kok Chung, who visited the Malaysia contingent at the Games village yesterday, said despite the team losing 2-1 he was pleased with the quality of play and the fighting spirit shown by the players.

"The team spirit shown was very commendable and although we were clearly the underdogs we came very close to shocking the champions if not for the last minute goal," he said.

Kok Chung said if all the athletes from Malaysia showed the same level of spirit and confidence they would be able to achieve great feats at the Games.

"Passion for the game and a good level of confidence are important if an athlete is to succeed in sports," said Kok Chung.

"Although our athletes may not be as physically big as their opponents here they should not be afraid and must have faith in their own abilities."

The deputy minister said the intermittent spells of rain and sunshine, similar to Malaysian weather, was an advantage for the athletes to compete in but was not going to pressure them for a first ever gold medal at the Games.

"We are hoping they will be able to deliver a first gold medal but are not going to pressure them. We just expect them to try their very best."

Kok Chung also praised the organisers for a well run event and was pleased that Malaysian athletes had managed to settle down quickly at the Games venue.

"The organisers have done a very good job and it is good to see our athletes have settled down quickly so they can perform well here, especially as it is being held during the fasting month," he said.

World University Games : Malaysia make Ukraine work hard for win

Malaysian coach Aminuddin Hussin did not get his wish to play in the rain but can still be proud of his charges' performance as Malaysia came close to upsetting defending champions Ukraine in their opening group match at the World University Games (Universiade) at the Shenzhen Stadium yesterday.  Ukraine won 2-1.

Malaysia started the match brightly with Fahrul Razi Kamarudin testing Ukraine goalkeeper Yuriy Krsylytsya as early as the third minute with a powerful shot from just inside the penalty box after a surging individual effort down the flank.
The right winger was again part of the action three minutes later when he crossed for Saiful Ridzuwan Selamat, only for the latter to shoot wide.

 The team seemed to lose composure in the middle of the first half with loose passing which allowed Ukraine to take control.

Ukraine nearly took the lead in the 28th minute when Dmytro Leonov's powerful shot was deflected by Malaysian keeper Norhadi Ubaidillah.

The rest of the half was played out evenly.

Malaysia took a surprise lead 30 seconds after the restart when captain K. Reuben Thayaparan thumped in a low cross from Fahrul Razi, however, it took Ukraine only six minutes to equalise with an almost identical goal from midfielder Dmytro Gunchenko in the 53rd minute.

The goal seemed to revitalise the champions who almost went ahead in the 57th minute when substitute Mykhaylo Kozak beat the offside trap but found Norhadi hard to beat.

Ukraine's continued pressure paid off when they netted the winning goal in the 89th minute with an easy tap in from Kozak.

Aminuddin, who had hoped for wet conditions to gain an advantage against their physically bigger opponents, said he was delighted with his charges' performance considering the limited time they had to train together as a squad.

"Ukraine came into the match expecting an easy time against us but we proved that we are no pushovers," said Aminuddin.

"Although we lost, the boys put up a great fight and I am very pleased with every single one of them as they all did well and played to instructions."

Aminuddin added that last-gasp winner scored by Ukraine did little to demoralise the team who are looking forward to their next match against Brazil this Sunday.

"I will be watching the Brazil (v Russia) match later tonight (yesterday) and see what we can do against them on Sunday."

World University Games : Malaysia beaten by defending champions Ukraine

Malaysia’s chances of making the quarter-finals dimmed after they went down 1-2 to Ukraine in their opening match in Group B of the football competition at the World University Games (Universiade 2011) at the Shenzhen Stadium here yesterday.

Both teams were evenly matched in the first half. Malaysia had a number of chances but defending champions Ukraine were solid in the defence.

After the breather, Malaysia were quick off the blocks and drew first blood in the 46th minute, scoring through captain K. Reuben.

Stunned, Ukraine upped the tempo and equalised through Dmytro Gunchenko in the 53rd minute before Mykhaylo Kozak netted the winning goal in the 89th minute.

National coach Aminuddin Hussin was satisfied with the spirited display shown by his boys despite the loss.

Malaysia next meet Brazil and Russia. The top two teams from the group will qualify for the quarter-finals.