KUALA LUMPUR: The national hockey team’s World Cup qualification hopes have been hit after midfielder Alfarico Lance Liau Jr fractured his thumb during a recent friendly tour in Perth, Australia.
Alfarico suffered the injury while defending a penalty corner against Perth-based club Thunderstick.
National coach Sarjit Singh had selected 22 players for the Jan 13-25 tour to prepare for the World Cup qualifiers in Ismailia, Egypt, which start on March 1.
National goalkeeper Hafizuddin Othman confirmed the injury and said Alfarico may miss the tournament.
“From the Perth friendly, as a goalkeeper, I believe we need to focus on defending better during penalty corner set-pieces. We conceded many goals via penalty corners,” said Hafizuddin on Tuesday.
He added that the team will head to Egypt on Feb 20 to adapt to the conditions and play several friendly matches before the qualifiers.
World No. 13 Malaysia recorded two wins and three losses in Perth.
The Speedy Tigers lost 4-0 to a weakened Australian side before bouncing back to rout Thunderstick 9-2.
In subsequent matches, Malaysia lost 3-2 and 6-2 to Australia and thrashed Western Australia 6-2.
The Australian squad were missing 12 key players currently competing in the Hockey India League.
Malaysia are in Group B in the World Cup Qualifiers and begin their campaign against Austria on March 1, followed by matches against former world champions Pakistan (March 2) and China (March 4).
Group A comprises England, Japan, Egypt, and the United States.
The top two teams in each group will qualify for the semi-finals, with only the top three finishers guaranteed berths for the World Cup, to be co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium in August.
Hafizuddin, 34, said the team have a good chance of topping their group.
“By topping the group, we will likely avoid favourites England in the semi-finals. However, we cannot afford to underestimate any team.
“We have to be especially cautious against Pakistan, who are talented and have a good drag-flicker in Sufyan Khan,”
Hafizuddin added. “We also have to be on our toes against China, who are fast and robust. We do not know much about Austria, but I gather they play like any other European team — defensively compact and strong in attack.”
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
