AAG: Malaysia routs Ghana 5-0

Hyderabad, Oct 25 (UNI) Malaysia overcame first-half hiccups and routed Ghana 5-0 to record their first win in two matches and keep semifinal hopes alive in the men's hockey competition at the first their Afro-Asian Games here today.

For the winners, who led 1-0 at the breather, the scorers were Ismail Abu (14th minute), Kuhan Shanmuganathan (41st, 57th), Muhammad Amin Rahim (59th) and Tajol Rosli Mohamad (65th).

Malaysia had drawn their opener against South Africa. With this win, they now have four points and will play Korea in their last league match. For Ghana, this was their second successive defeat (having lost to Korea 0-3 in their first match) and are now out of contention.

Malaysia encountered rather stiff resistance from Ghana, the bronze medal winner at the Abuja All-African Games. Despite dominating the first session, they could score only one goal.

The Malaysians, who finished fifth in the Asia Cup last month, surged ahead in the 14th minute through Ismail Abu who took advantage of a defense lapse.

The Africans hit back and forced four penalty-corners but could not convert any of them. In all, the Africans earned six penalty corners but all of them were muffed.

Malaysia were awarded seven penalty corners (three in first half), of which they converted three.

After a sluggish first session, the Malaysian went flat out on the offensive. As the second half started the Africans felt the heat.

Malaysia increased the lead when captain Kuhan converted a penalty corner with a direct shot (2-0). Ghana did not give up and kept attacking the rival citadel. This fetched them two more penalty corners but they could not make use of them.

The Malaysians consolidated the lead in the 57th minute, again through their skipper Kuhan, who made no mistake with another penalty-corner attempt (3-0).

Two minutes later, Malaysia sealed the match in their favour when Amin Rahim scored the fourth goal off a penalty-corner. Five minutes before the final whistle, Tajol completed the rout (5-0).