From Zulhilmi Supaat 
GUANGZHOU, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's hopes of earning an automatic spot in the 2012 London Olympics was dashed by 0-2 loss to Pakistan in the final of the men's hockey at the Aoti Hockey Pitch here Thursday.
After having achieved a historic feat by making it to the final of the Asian Games, the Malaysian squad were hoping to add another chapter to the history but Pakistan had other ideas.
However, the silver medal feat was still the best achievement in the Asian Games since the country's first participation at the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games in Japan.
Malaysia who beat India 4-3 to enter the final, had finished sixth at the Doha Asian Games in 2006 while the last medal, a bronze, was won in the 2002 Busan Asian Games hosted by South Korea.
Coach Stephen Van Huizen's boys who shaved off their heads to pay homage for reaching the final after a brilliant performance against India, seemed lethargic, probably due to lost hair, against a more determined Pakistani side that was in control right from the start.
GUANGZHOU, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's hopes of earning an automatic spot in the 2012 London Olympics was dashed by 0-2 loss to Pakistan in the final of the men's hockey at the Aoti Hockey Pitch here Thursday.After having achieved a historic feat by making it to the final of the Asian Games, the Malaysian squad were hoping to add another chapter to the history but Pakistan had other ideas.
However, the silver medal feat was still the best achievement in the Asian Games since the country's first participation at the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games in Japan.
Malaysia who beat India 4-3 to enter the final, had finished sixth at the Doha Asian Games in 2006 while the last medal, a bronze, was won in the 2002 Busan Asian Games hosted by South Korea.
Coach Stephen Van Huizen's boys who shaved off their heads to pay homage for reaching the final after a brilliant performance against India, seemed lethargic, probably due to lost hair, against a more determined Pakistani side that was in control right from the start.
After a number of failed attempts, Pakistan took the lead with a sizzling penalty corner strike by their penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas, in the 24th minute for a 1-0 half time lead.
Three minutes into the second half, Pakistan added the second goal through Rehan Butt who finished off a rebound from Shafqat Rasul's strike which was initially saved by Malaysian goalkeeper S. Kumar who was in his element yet again.
Malaysia too had its chances after earning three penalty corners in the second half against none in the first but the 40th, 44th and 61st minute penalty corners were wasted by skipper Mohd Madzli Ikmar Mohd Nor, Muhammad Razie Abd Rahim and Muhamad Amin Rahim.
Stephen said his boys looked a little tense in the match and made numerous mistakes that proved costly.
"Although I am proud of our achievement, we are a little disappointed for not earning an automatic slot for the Olympics," he said.
The winners of the Asian Games gold medal will earn an automatic spot for the 2012 London Olympics.
Meanwhile, in the match for third place, India beat defending champion South Korea 1-0 to clinch the bronze medal through Tushar Khandker's goal.
-- BERNAMA
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