KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia may be the continent’s No. 2 ranked hockey team, but the Speedy Tigers head into the Asia Cup only “80 per cent fit”.
Coach Sarjit Singh admitted on Wednesday that his players were still short of their best condition ahead of the tournament in Bihar, India, starting Aug 29.
The Asia Cup winners will book a ticket to next year’s World Cup, but Malaysia’s preparations have been hit by concerns over fitness.
“Being ranked world No. 12 and Asia’s No. 2 behind India (No. 8), our target is to reach the final,” said Sarjit in Bukit Jalil.
“The National Sports Institute revealed that after seven weeks of chamber training, the players are only 80 per cent fit. Teams like South Korea, Japan and China will be fitter as they are used to military-style training.
“But with more than a week left before our first match, I expect the players to improve.”
Malaysia are in Group B alongside South Korea (world No. 13), Bangladesh (No. 29) and Taiwan (No. 38).
They open against Bangladesh on Aug 29, followed by defending champions South Korea the next day and Taiwan on Sept 1.
The top two will advance to the Super Four.
Sarjit’s side will also play warm-up games against India (Aug 25) and China (Aug 27) in Bihar after managing just two friendlies against the national juniors in Kuala Lumpur.
“Those matches will help us iron out shortcomings,” he said.
The Speedy Tigers are expected to reach the Super Four, but Sarjit admitted it will be a stern test.
“We will likely face India, Korea and Japan or China. My players must avoid defensive mistakes and remain consistent. I also hope injuries don’t come into play,” he said.
Malaysia have come under fire for their poor results since Sarjit took charge in March last year.
They finished fourth in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, seventh in the Nations Cup in Poland, sixth in the Asian Champions Trophy in China, and sixth again at the Nations Cup in Bukit Jalil in June, despite being set a semi-final target.
Meanwhile, Group A comprises India, world No. 18 Japan, world No. 23 China and unranked Kazakhstan.
The Malaysian squad:
Goalkeepers: Hafizuddin Othman, Rafaizul Saini;
Defenders: Faiz Helmi Jali, Marhan Jalil (captain), Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan, Amirul Hamizan Azahar, Fariz Harizan, Arif Syafie Ishak;
Midfielders: Andywalfian Jeffrynus, Fitri Saari, Nik Aiman Nik Rozemi, Shafiq Hassan, Alfarico Lance Liau, Shellow Silverius;
Forwards: Ashran Hamsani, Azrai Aizad Kamal, Norsyafiq Sumantri, Muhajir Abdu Rauf, Akhimullah Anuar Esook, Najib Hassan.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
