KUALA LUMPUR: Faizal Saari, who came out of retirement after nine months, is among 20 players named for the Sultan Azlan Shah (SAS) Cup which begins tomorrow in Ipoh.
The 34-year-old striker last played for Malaysia in the Asian Champions Trophy in Inner Mongolia, China in September last year and retired after helping Terengganu win the treble in the Malaysia Hockey League in February.
Faizal almost withdrew from national training after his brother, Firdaus, 41, suffered a heart attack on Tuesday in Kelantan. His younger brother, Fitri, will also play in the SAS Cup.
Faizal said: “Thank God, my brother is in stable condition and I can focus on the SAS Cup.
“I never expected to make the SAS Cup squad as I only trained with the national team for two weeks. I thank coach Sarjit Singh for selecting me and having faith in me,” said Faizal, who is regarded as one of the best drag flickers in the world.
He has represented Malaysia 302 times and has scored 176 goals since making his debut for the national team in 2009.
Faizal said world No. 13 Malaysia have a fighting chance to reach the SAS Cup final.
“Only Belgium, ranked third in the world, are the strongest team in the tournament and they will be the team to beat.
“We have a fighting chance against India (No. 7), New Zealand (No. 11), South Korea (No. 15) and Canada (No. 20).”
Meanwhile, Sarjit has named two newcomers — defender Nur Asyraf Ishak and forward Zufar Saiful Marsita, both who impressed in last month’s Razak Cup — for the SAS Cup.
Malaysia will open their campaign against New Zealand tomorrow.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
