Lissek: We play like `robots'

29/10/2001

THE players training for the 2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup on Feb 24 to
March 9 are highly motivated and a disciplined lot, so much so that they
have been termed as robots.
And this has placed national coach Paul Lissek in a fix, because he is
finding it hard to change this `Asian culture'.
"Asians are very respectful and disciplined, but on the field, sometimes
they need to be more ambitious when faced with a difficult situation.
Sadly, the Malaysian players, from the junior to the senior ranks, are
unable to change their style of play on the run.
"Only Mirnawan Nawawi sometimes goes the extra mile on his own, the rest
of them follow my instructions and plans to the hilt, even when the
situation warrants otherwise," said Lissek.
Lissek pointed out Japan, and South Korea as two Asian teams who have
started playing intelligent hockey and can adapt to change on the field.
"Even Pakistan and India, the Junior World Cup gold medallists, have
started to become more ambitious on the field and the results have started
coming in.
"I have tried my best to change the Malaysian players' mindset, but they
have been tuned to the disciplined style of play from young, so the
success rate has been moderate," said Lissek.
He is also worried that the national players in training have not had
enough matches the past year.
When Lissek formulated the plan for the 2002 World Cup, he was looking
for 50 top-class matches from January this year, but the team has only
played 25 matches to date.
"The Azlan Shah Cup in August was the last time the seniors played
competitive hockey, since then, we have only been training. But there are
plans for Three-and Five-Nations to be held in Kuala Lumpur in December
and January.
"There are also plans to host a Six-Nation, most likely called the Azlan
Shah Cup, or some other name in January and we have had positive response
from Holland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Argentina and India to play in the
tournamant.
"So, by the look of things, the seniors will just about clock 50 matches
before the World Cup begins," said Lissek.
Argentina, the most improved side in the world so far, topped the World
Cup Qualifiers in Edinburgh recently and also won the silver medal in the
Junior World Cup in Hobart, are keen to have friendlies with Malaysia but
the venue has yet to be decided.
"Malaysia will surely benefit playing Argentina so we are planning to
either host them or go to Buenos Aires for friendlies before the 2002
World Cup," said Lissek.
On the World Cup itself, the German feels that fitness will be the key
to survival for Malaysia.
"There are seven matches to play in 10 days, even soccer players are not
exposed to such a hectic schedule in such a short period. So after the
first four matches (Australia, Japan, India and South Korea) which will
surely drain our boys, they face `easier' opponents in England, Cuba and
Poland.
"The outcome will surely favour the fitter team. Right now, Malaysia's
fitness level is `OK' but it could be better. We are working on it and
they should be better prepared to play the full 70 minutes in February."
* jugjet@nstp.com.my
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