KUALA LUMPUR: Goalkeeper Rafaizul Saini was a letdown as Malaysia lost 4-0 to defending champions Argentina in a Junior World Cup Group A match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday.
Expectations were high on the Young Tigers to play well against Argentina following their magnificent 7-1 win over Chile a day earlier.
But Rafaizul had a bad game, letting in two soft goals.
Rafaizul, who is coached by former national goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin, let a reverse stick attempt by Argentine Bautista Capurro slip through his pads in the 20th minute. And eight minutes later, he failed to stop a close range flick from Marco Aguirregomezcorta.
Rafaizul said the first goal was his mistake. "My eyes were not on the ball. I should have been more alert of the reverse stick hit.
"I should have blocked the cross (the second goal) but allowed the opponent to flick the ball into the top net."
Surprisingly, coach Amin Rahim did not replace Rafaizul with reserve keeper Danish Afnan after his bungles. It looks like Amin did not think Danish would do a better job.
When asked about Friday's do-or-die match against former champions Australia, Rafaizul admitted he will be under pressure to do well.
"I will want to play much better and avoid the type of mistakes that I made against Australia," said Rafaizul who conceded 18 goals in five matches in the Sultan of Johor Cup last month.
Malaysia and Australia are tied with three points each from two matches but the latter have a better goal difference and need only a draw to reach the quarter-finals.
Australia coach Jay Stacy said: "I'm looking forward to a very good match against the Malaysians. They are an improving young team and have some dynamic young players, some good speed and skilful players. We have to be at our best."