KUALA LUMPUR: It usually takes four years to build a rock-solid hockey team capable of challenging at the Junior World Cup (JWC).
But coach Nor Saiful Zaini has done it in just seven months.
Olympian Jiwa Mohan said Saiful’s young side showed remarkable progress at the recent Sultan of Johor Cup (SoJC) and believes they could spring surprises at the JWC.
“The players were not only fit but also very eager during the SoJC. They even held Australia to a 1-1 draw,” said Jiwa.
“It shows that our juniors can match stronger teams like Australia, who won the SoJC for the fourth time last month. They also beat New Zealand twice in the tournament.”
Jiwa praised Saiful’s coaching team, comprising M. Kaliswaran and Madzli Ikmar, for helping to transform the squad.
However, he reminded the players that maintaining momentum will be key when the tournament begins in India from Nov 28-Dec 10.
“They must apply their tactics well to match the best teams at the JWC,” he said.
Malaysia are in Group C alongside the Netherlands, England and Austria.
At last year’s edition in Bukit Jalil, Malaysia finished 12th out of 16 teams.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
