KUALA LUMPUR – National men’s hockey team head coach A. Arul Selvaraj has faith in his charges to do well at the 29th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament beginning November 1 until November 10, which will be held at the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium, Ipoh.
Strongly aided by his former national teammate and current team manager, Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi, Arul believes that the tournament plays a crucial part in getting the team ready for the World Cup in January in India.
In a statement, Arul also noted that it would also be inevitable for the team to do their best in subsequent tournaments, including the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games in September next year, as it could help them get to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“We should be in the final (Sultan Azlan Shah Cup), but if that does not happen, I am not going to push the panic button,” said the 48-year-old coach.
“Although our team philosophy is to win every match, that does not mean that we are going to have an easy path.
“There is no easy match. We have to work hard, play to our best ability, and treat every opponent with respect and caution.”
Other teams competing in Ipoh include South Korea, South Africa, Japan, Pakistan, and Egypt.
Despite hosting the tournament, Malaysia has yet to lift the trophy since the tournament’s inception in 1983 but have come close to winning five times before – finishing second in the 1985, 2007, 2009, 2013 and 2014 editions.
In facing the upcoming match, Arul announced defender Muhammad Najmi Farizal Jazlan as the skipper for the 18-man national men’s hockey team.
Najmi will take over the captain’s armband from Muhammad Marhan Mohd Jalil, who is injured.
Arul said the Speedy Tigers will have two goalkeepers, five defenders, five midfielders and six forwards, with 22-year-old Muhammad Amirul Hamizan Azahar set to earn his first senior international cap.
“We chose the 18 players based on their physical condition as we, the coaches, feel that the players need to be strong and physically fit to play six matches in 10 days,” he said, adding that his men are all set for the tournament.
The Speedy Tigers will take on South Korea on Tuesday, Pakistan on Wednesday, South Africa on Friday, Egypt on November 5, and Japan on November 7.
After the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, they will head for the men’s Nations Cup in Potchefstroom, South Africa, from November 28 to December 4. – The Vibes, October 29, 2022
