Malaysia, Britain make the grade

Malaysia, Britain make the grade
Agence France Presse

Osaka, March 18: Kuhan Shanmuganathan scored off a penalty corner seven minutes from the final whistle to lift Malaysia into the Olympic Games with a 2-1 win over Japan here on Saturday.

In another match, Calum Giles scored two goals as Britain came good when it mattered most to make the grade with a 3-1 cruise over Argentina.

The Malaysians fought back from a fifth minute-goal by Japan's Daisuke Hokaze to draw level in the 28th as Calvin Fernandez brilliantly set up a goal for Suhaimi Ibrahim.

Fernandez dribbled past the Japanese defence and, despite falling on his back, executed a reverse flick to an unmarked Suhaimi who tapped the ball in. Japan attacked in the second-half only to see Kuhan score the match-winner against the run of play.

The British, who appeared out of contention following their 5-2 defeat by Poland, dominated from start to finish after Danny Hall scored the opening goal in the second minute.

Giles made it 2-0 before half-time with a stinging shot from the top of the circle after his own penalty corner produced a goal-mouth scramble.

Giles then made it 3-0 early in the second-half with a penalty corner hit, before Maximo Pellegrino scored a consolation goal for Argentina 11 minutes from the end.

Britain's Australian coach Barry Dancer, slammed by the media for the team's lacklustre display earlier in the tournament, stayed away from the post-match briefing.

The day's winners joined Spain, South Korea, Pakistan and Poland as the qualifiers from the 12-nation tournament here.

They will join the six direct entrants -- holders Holland, hosts Australia and the continental champions India, Germany, Canada and South Africa -- in Sydney.

A seventh qualifier could also go through if the South African Olympic Committee stands by its decision not to field the men's team.

If South Africa withdraw, the winners of the match between Japan and Argentina will get a ticket to Sydney.