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KUALA LUMPUR – Injured national hockey player Shello Silverius has received the green light to join 19 other players in the senior men’s squad that will lead Malaysia’s challenge at the 2023 Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup, which will begin on January 13 to 29 at Bhubaneswar, India.
Shello suffered a fracture on his left arm after taking a direct ball hit during a match against South Korea at the South African Nations Cup recently, which caused him to be put in a cast temporarily.
However, head coach Arul Selvaraj said following doctor’s advice at the National Sports Institute (NSI), the 23-year-old striker has been recovering well and would be ready to be back on the field for the world cup.
“We got a clearance from the doctor (at the NSI) for Shello. He has another check-up with the doctor tomorrow and next week he would be able to start training again.
“His left arm has been put on a brace that is specially designed for him,” Arul said when met at a press conference at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil, here.
“Even though he would not be able to hold the hockey stick for the next couple of days, I am not worried because he is strong physically and mentally.”
Despite Shello’s injury, Arul is confident that the Sabahan would perform well at the 15th edition of the quadrennial event.
Arul and team manager Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi also realised the possibility of the injury reappearing, but the decision was made following a “long discussion” with the player.
“We had a long discussion with Shello and explained that his injury might reappear if he were to play at the world cup.
“But Shello is a very fit and intelligent player. We believe him and he is confident enough to play.
“If anything happens, we will manage it from there.”
Meanwhile, Arul also hoped that the world cup would also be a good platform for Faizal Saari to prove himself as he has not been performing well for the team recently.
He said the team is relying on the striker to reach his full potential to carry Malaysia to another level.
“He has been selected (for the world cup) not for himself, but to carry the rest of the players.
“The time has come for Faizal to step up and shoulder the burden for the team.
“He has been on and off with his performance, but he needs to understand that we have spent a lot of time and energy to help him reach his full potential.”
Malaysia will start their campaign in Group C against the Netherlands on January 14, followed by Chile on January 16, and New Zealand on January 19.
Prior to the matches, they will be playing against Spain in a friendly match on January 11.
Arul and Mirnawan targeted the team to finish top of the pool in the group match as it would automatically qualify them for the quarterfinal round. – The Vibes, December 29, 2022
