All odds against Malaysia

28/10/2001

THE launch of the 2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup match schedule was conducted
after a gala ceremony at the Malaysia Tourist Centre in Kuala Lumpur
yesterday and it looks like the hosts are going Down Under in their first
match itself.
Australia, who beat Malaysia 7-1 in the Azlan Shah Cup in August, will
be the first hurdle on Feb 24. However, national coach Paul Lissek sees it
as a blessing in disguise.
"We were hammered in the Azlan Shah Cup in August by the Australians so
it is good that we face them first. There will be less pressure on the
team because lose or win, they have six other matches to catch up in Group
B.
"We will definitely try to minimise the goals in the first match," said
Lissek.
Malaysia Hockey Federation president Sultan Azlan Shah launched the
match schedule with a remote control presented to him by Malaysian skipper
Mirnawan Nawawi.
Former internationals Poon Fook Loke, 1975 World Cup skipper N. Sri
Shan, Colin sta Maria, Nor Saiful Zaini, Aftar Singh Gill and Sarjit Singh
were among those present and opened envelopes for the schedule.
Malaysia's next opponents are Japan on Feb 26 and this match will chart
our path in the World Cup.
"This is definitely the toughest match because after Australia, where
the best we can do is minimise the goals, the fans will be looking for a
big win against Japan. But I assure you that it is not going to be easy,"
cautioned Lissek.
The German watched Japan play in the World Cup qualifiers in Edinburgh
recently and he was amazed by their progress: "Japan are certainly the
most dangerous team at the moment because they have improved much under
their former Korean coach. They are very fit, and they have `adopted' the
Korean style into their play and will be hard to beat.
"Japan are `super dangerous' and we must beat them at all cost to stay
afloat," said Lissek.
Lissek did not want to set any target for the team but after some
persuasion, he finally said that he will be happy if they improve on the
11th placing in the last World Cup.
"Finishing 10th in a 16-team tournament will be good, anything above is
a bonus."
For a team to do well in the World Cup, according to Lissek, a good
goalkeeper and a penalty corner specialist is a must.
"Sad to say the current team is weak in both departments. S. Kuhan is
our only hope and he is not in the `professional' category yet. Suhaimi
Ibrahim was being groomed to help Kuhan but he quit the team because of
some personal problems.
"It looks like Chua Boon Huat will have to be trained to take the
penalty corners. But time is not on our side to make a good impression in
penalty corners," said Lissek.
The 2002 World Cup mascot, Juara, was also unveiled yesterday.
Juara is a tiger and he danced to the theme song `Kita Pasti Juara' and
delighted the audience with his antics. The theme song (rap core meets
modern rock), will be aired in January on all radio stations and
television advertisements in four languages.
But by the look of things, the team have a torrid schedule in February
against the best hockey playing nations in the world and it is highly
unlikely that they will dance to the tune of champions, as the theme song
suggests. jugjet@nstp.com.my 2002 WORLD CUP GROUPINGS
GROUP A
Argentina
Belgium
Holland
Germany
New Zealand
Pakistan
South Africa
Spain
GROUP B
Australia
Cuba
England
India
Japan
Korea
Malaysia
Poland
(END)