GB U-21 Men beat Malaysia in Sultan of Johor Cup
15th October 2014|
GREAT BRITAIN |
3 |
2 |
MALAYSIA |
|
Ben Boon 4 (FG) |
(Half-time 2-0) |
Sufi Ismat Rohulamin 36 (FG) |
|
|
David Goodfield 6 (FG) |
|
Shahril Saabah 65 (PC) |
|
|
Luke Taylor 62 (PC) |
|
|
|
GREAT Britain Under-21 Men are sitting pretty at the top of the table after securing their third straight win in the Sultan of Johor Cup, this time winning 3-2 over hosts Malaysia on Wednesday.
Early goals from Sheffield Hallam’s David Goodfield and Reading’s Ben Boon – his third in three matches – helped Great Britain get off to a great start, but they then had to soak up periods of intense pressure from their hosts before wrapping up the win with a late Luke Taylor goal.
Afterwards, Assistant Coach Graham Moodie said: “Although the performance didn’t reach the heights of the two previous matches the guys showed great character, and continued intensity led to an all-important win in the end.”
A break down the left saw David Goodfield feed through to Sam French, and a good ball into the circle led to Boon firing home the opening goal after just four minutes.
Just two minutes later GB had doubled their lead. French broke down the right side, and passed to David Goodfield, who fired home from shoulder height at close range.
However, their dominance was put on hold by a period of sustained Malaysian pressure, and a green card and three yellows saw GB with their backs against the wall.
Half time came with no further score, but shortly after play resumed Malaysia pulled one back when Sufi Ismat Rohulmin broke down the middle.
England got back into their stride and enjoyed a good spell of dominance, and on 62 minutes Luke Taylor scored their third. Jonny Gall was fouled in the circle to win a penalty corner, and Taylor scored with a low flick straight under the goalkeeper.
Malaysia had the final word with Shahril Saabah scoring from a penalty corner five minutes from time, but it wasn’t enough to challenge for the win.