Argies for friendlies

22/11/2001

ARGENTINA will be arriving in Malaysia on Nov 30 and have agreed to play
two friendly matches against the national side before the Champions
Challenge on Dec 7-15 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
"Argentina have agreed to play two friendlies against Malaysia on Dec 3
and 5 at the National Hockey Stadium. Also, South Africa have requested
for a friendly on Dec 4, but that is subject to the approval of the 2002
Kuala Lumpur World Cup team manager Datuk R. Yogeswaran," said Malaysia
Hockey Federation secretary S. Satgunam yesterday.
When contacted, Yogeswaran said he was aware of South Africa's request
and it will be entertained.
"Actually, the South Africans approached Paul Lissek (chief coach) for a
friendly and we have agreed to host them on Dec 5. The friendlies, likely
to be held at intervals of 25 minutes, will prepare the team for the
Champions Challenge and indirectly the 2002 World Cup," said Yogeswaran.
Argentina and South Africa are in Group A of the 2002 World Cup while
Malaysia are in Group B. But the likelihood of meeting in the crossover is
there.
The other teams in the Champions Challenge are Belgium, India and Japan.
"Ticket prices for the Challenge have been placed at RM5 (grandstand),
RM3 (all other seats) and RM1 (for schoolchildren). On some days, there
will be three matches so the RM3 will be value for money," said Satgunam.
Most of the teams will be arriving early for the Challenge to get
acclimatised. Japan and South Africa will arrive on Dec 2 and Belgium on
the 5th. India are the only team that have yet to confirm their date of
arrival.
All six teams in the Challenge have qualified for the 2002 World Cup,
with Argentina topping the recent World Cup Qualifier in Edinburgh, so
sizzling action is assured.
The Champions Challenge was supposed to be held in New Delhi on the same
date, but with the Afghan war at their doorstep, the Indian Hockey
Federation decided against hosting it and Malaysia won the bid.
The winner of the Champions Challenge will be promoted to the Champions
Trophy in the next edition.
FIXTURES - Dec 7: South Africa v Argentina (4pm); India v Belgium (6pm);
Malaysia v Japan (8pm); Dec 8: South Africa v India (6pm); Belgium v
Malaysia (8pm); Dec 9: Japan v Argentina (6pm); Dec 10: Japan v South
Africa (4pm); Argentina v Belgium (6pm); Malaysia v India (8pm); Dec 11:
Belgium v South Africa (6pm); Dec 12: India v Japan (6pm); Malaysia v
Argentina (8pm); Dec 13: Japan v Belgium (4pm); India v Argentina (6pm);
Malaysia v South Africa (8pm).
Dec 14: REST DAY.
Dec 15: 5th ranked v 6th ranked (8am); 3rd ranked v 4th ranked (5pm);
1st ranked v 2nd ranked (8pm).
Note: All matches at Pitch One of the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit
Jalil.
* THE first Womens Champions Challenge has been relocated Randburg,
Johannesburg, South Africa, and will be held on Feb 9-17 2002, the FIH
website reported yesterday.
England, Germany, India, Korea, South Africa and the United States will
play in the first Champions Challenge, which will be a biannual event,
with the winner promoted to next years Champions Trophy in August in
Macau, Republic of China.
The FIH and Indian Hockey Confederation (IHC) had mutually agreed to
withdraw the event from New Delhi, India, as it was clear that only a few
of the participating nations were able to travel to India under the
current political circumstances.
The South African Hockey Association has previously hosted the women's
Olympic Qualifier in 1995 and more recently the All Africa Games in 1999.
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