Comeback Kids

Malaysia showed their pedigree of champions as they came from 0-2 down to defeat Germany 3-2 at the Sultan of Johor Cup.

It was a game of two halves as Malaysia displayed a Jekyl and Hyde syndromme with a phatetic display in the opening 35 minutes and lifted their game to record a win that saw them receiving a standing ovation from the royal box where MHC President Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah was present.

Malaysia forced four penalty corners from the 4^th minute, in quick succession and off the fourth, skipper Mohd Noor Faeez Ibrahim beat the German keeper Victor Aly only to be denied by the upright.

Germany survived the early scare and made inroads into the Malaysia semi circle and almost took the lead in the 11^th minute when Niklas Wellen deflected a cross that brought off a reflex save from Mohd Hafizuddin Othman in the Malaysian goal.

And two minutes later Jonas Gomoll found the sideboards with only the keeper to beat.

The upright prevented Malaysia from taking the lead yet again in the 15^th minute, this time Amir Farid finding the post in his way.

Germany were awarded a penalty corner in the 18^th minute and Tom Grambusch made no mistake as he sent the ball between Faeez and Hafizuddin to give Germany a 1-0 lead, stunning the crowd of 5,000 that came to cheer the home team.

And in the 23^rd minute, the German precision worked wonders as the Malaysia defence was split open with one touch hockey and Moritz Tompertz scored to double the advantage for Germany.

Malaysia reduced the deficit in the 38^th minute when Mohd Syamim Yusof squared the ball and everyone missed it but not Amir Farid who ghosted in from the far post to tap into an empty goal, Germany 2 Malaysia 1 and game on.

Germany almost hit back in the 42^nd minute but Niklas Wellen sent his push wide with the goal at his mercy.

Malaysia were awarded a penalty corner in the 49^th minute and the ball was relayed to Firhan whose deflection hit Mathias Muller on the body. Umpire Kamran Sharif awarded a penalty stroke, which Faeez duly converted to put Malaysia on level terms.

The hosts were on fire and two minutes later Mohd Syamim Yusof muffed a sitter with only the keeper to beat.

But Ramadhan Rosli had the final say, scoring in the 67^th minute from an acute angle to give Malaysia a famous win.