KUALA LUMPUR: As national coach Sarjit Singh welcomes the New Year, hockey fans would like to remind him of his words.
Sarjit, hired as national coach in March 2024, told the media on June 22, 2025 that he had set a target for himself — qualify for the World Cup or he will step down.
Inevitably, there will be pressure on Sarjit when he leads the national team at the World Cup Qualifier in Egypt from March 1-7.
Malaysia, ranked 13th in the world, aim to finish in the top three in Egypt to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Eight teams will compete in the Qualifier in Egypt, and Malaysia are drawn in Group B with world No. 14 Pakistan, Austria (No. 21) and China (No. 23). Group A consists of world No. 7 England, South Korea (No. 16), Egypt (No. 17) and the United States (N0. 25).
In preparation for the World Cup Qualifier, Sarjit has called up 30 players for training which started earlier this week.
Among those called up were six who featured in the recent Junior World Cup in India. They are goalkeeper Haziq Muizuddin, defenders Andywalfian Jeffrynus and Azimuddin Syakir, midfielders Adam Ashraf Johari and Addy Jazmi Jamlus and forward Danish Aiman Khairil Anuar.
Sarjit described the combination of senior and youth players as part of the plans to ensure continuity in the national team.
He is confident that this combination will help the Speedy Tigers qualify for the World Cup.
“We want a new injection in the team and the presence of these six young players will give something new and fresher to the team. This will also bring a healthy rivalry, where every player will work harder to ensure their place in the team.
“We hope the young players will dare to give great competition to the senior players,” said Sarjit.
In preparation for the World Cup Qualifier, Malaysia will play five friendly matches against the Australian national team and the Western Australian club in Perth in January.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
