KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia hockey team are physically fit and mentally strong to mount a strong challenge at the Junior World Cup (JWC) in Chennai and Madurai, India from Nov 28-Dec 10.
Malaysia, ranked 11th in the world in the Under-21 tournament, will open their campaign against world No. 19 Austria on Nov 29, followed by matches against world No. 5 the Netherlands on Nov 30 and end their group fixtures against world No. 16 England on Dec 2.
There are 24 nations divided into six groups and the group winners will qualify for the quarter-finals together with the best two second-placed teams.
Coach Nor Saiful Zaini said he has faith in his players and expects them to give the three European teams a run for their money.
“It will be tough to be champions of the group. But we hope to be among the top two second-best teams to reach the quarter-finals.
“Our players need to adapt fast to the playing conditions in India and they also must be able to change their game strategy when facing the European teams.
“We are not sure about the strength of the Austria team as we haven’t played them before. Despite their height, we should beat them to have a good start in the tournament.
“We face a daunting task against the Dutch as they are too strong. We cannot play an open game against them as they are very good in one-to-one situations. Although they are a solid team, any team can be beaten.
“I also hope our team rise to the occasion against England although we lost to them 4-1 in the Sultan of Johor Cup (last month).”
Harris Iskandar Osman and Azimuddin Syakir Kamaruddin will be Malaysia’s penalty corner drag flickers in the JWC.
“Although we only start training in May, my players have shown improvement after playing close to 30 matches.
“The team are physically fit and mentally strong after playing two tournaments — the Murugappa Gold Cup in Chennai in July and Sultan of Johor Cup.
Five Malaysian players will feature in their second JWC. They are Andywalfian Jeffrynus, Adam Ashraf Johari, Addy Jazmi Jamlus, Danish Aiman Khairul Anuar and Harris Iskandar Osman.
Nor Saiful’s boys will play two friendlies — against the South Korea senior team on Monday and Malaysia senior team on Tuesday in Ipoh before leaving for India on Nov 23.
Malaysia will also play two friendlies in Madurai — against Ireland on Nov 24 and Namibia on Nov 25 ahead of the JWC.
THE MALAYSIA TEAM – Goalkeepers: Haziq Muizuddin Hairul Mizan, Muaz Bashir Shabri;
Defenders: Andywalfian Jeffrynus, Azimuddin Syakir Kamaruddin, Shafiq Adam Harris Suzaini, Nabil Irfan Yusof, Aqil Danial Mat Ruslee, Iman Faris Faizo;
Midfielders: Adam Asyraf Johari, Handzalah Abdul Hadi, Addy Jazmi Jamlus, Atif Aqil Zubir, S. Yashvindraa, Ammar Qusyairi Abd Halim;
Forwards: Danish Aiman Khairul Anuar (captain), T. Naaveennesh Panicker, Harris Iskandar Osman, Haziq Zunnurain Azhary, Rahul Fazrien Muhammad, Danish Irfan Saufi.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
