IPOH, May 12 — Malaysia produced an impressive performance to overcome Beijing Olympic-bound New Zealand 2-0 in its second match in the 17th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup at the Azlan Shah Stadium here yesterday.

Starting the first-half playing at a fast pace, the Malaysians broke the deadlock when midfielder Azlan Misron picked up a loose ball from a melee inside New Zealand's danger area and slammed home the opener in the 33rd minute.

In the second-half, the Malaysians were more aggressive in their attacks. In the 43rd minute, forward Selvaraju Sandrakasi picked up a pass and flicked a low drive to beat New Zealand goalkeeper Paul Woolford to seal Malaysia's second goal.  

Malaysian coach Sarjit Singh said his boys were more determined and highly motivated to win the match after their opening match loss to Pakistan on Friday.     

"We were the better side in the second-half in all departments. After, the second goal, New Zealand mounted attacks but was foiled by our solid defence.

“In between, our forwards made counter-attacks that created two or three opportunities but failed to find the net," he said, adding the presence of more than 4,000 spectators was a morale boost for the team.

On the next match against Argentina today, Sarjit said it would be a tough one as most of the South Americans were experienced players and were playing professionally in Holland.

"Hence, we have to play a hard and fast game as I believe my players have a good fitness level now," he told reporters.

In the current team standing, Malaysia has three points, and is in third spot behind Argentina (7 points) and Pakistan (7).

Meanwhile, Argentina and another Olympic-bound team, Pakistan, played to a 3-3 draw. The Argentine goals were scored by Pedro Ibarra (31st min, penalty corner), Juan Ignacio Gilardi (50th, penalty stroke), and Ignacio Ricardo Bergner (56th, penalty corner). Pakistan replied through Muhammad Zubair (10th and 44th, field goal and penalty corner), and Waqas Akbar (63rd, field goal).  

In another match, India won 3-1 against Canada. India's goals were delivered by Diwakar Ram (44th and 51st, penalty stroke and penalty corner), and Shivenda Singh (53rd, field goal). Canadian Wayne Fernandes gave his team the consolation goal in the 8th minute.

In today's matches, Belgium faces India (4pm), Canada meets Pakistan (6pm), and Malaysia takes on Argentina (8pm). — Bernama