Look out! The bad boys are coming

18/03/1999

CANADA who made their Azlan Shah Cup debut in 1995 have promised they will
be better when they return for the 1999 tournament scheduled for April 2-
10.
Canada, although they drew 2-2 with Malaysia in 1995, finished fifth in
the six-team tournament, ahead of the hosts who clinched the equaliser
through Nor Saiful Zaini during injury time.
Their cordial relationship turned sour when Malaysia qualified for the
Olympics ahead of Canada. The Canadians accused Malaysia and India of
fixing to play to a draw and keep them out of the Olympics.
When they met again at the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, Malaysia won
2-1. Some irate Canadian players broke chairs and defaced billboards after
the match.
The past has been colourful but the Canadians have promised to stick to
hockey and avoid incidents on and off the pitch.
Coach Shiaz Virjee sounded an early warning when he said the team are
stronger than the one that played at the Commonwealth Games.
"There are several changes and although not all the pieces are in place
yet, we have a stronger side," said Shiaz.
"We will have two players who have never been to Malaysia before but the
rest are experienced. We are preparing for the Pan American Games later
this year and the Azlan Shah Cup will be an excellent evaluation for the
team."
The youngest player is Paul Wettlaufer, 21, with 21 caps while the
oldest is Alan Brahmst, 34, with 121 caps.
"Five players have been playing in Europe - two in England and three in
Holland - and their experience will be of great value," said Shiaz.
"All the players are looking forward to playing in Malaysia as the
prospects of meeting Pakistan, New Zealand, Germany, South Korea and
Malaysia will be very exciting."
Malaysia, or rather the Project 2001 squad, last played Canada in the
Five-Nation in Cairo in February and the toast of the team was 22-year-old
captain S. Kuhan, who hammered in two goals off penalty corners.
Chairil Anwar, the oldest player in the team at 26, clinched the winner
off a field goal. The Canadians managed to score two goals.
But in the third-fourth placing match, Canada won 2-0.
Malaysia open their campaign against New Zealand on April 2 at the
National Hockey Stadium and it would be a big test for the young side
without stalwarts R. Shanker and Nor Saiful Zaini who retired after the
Commonwealth Games.
The Canadians will play a warmup match against Malaysia on March 30 and
another against the Project 2001 squad the following day at the National
Hockey Stadium.
Canada - Goalkeepers: Hari Kant, Mike Mahood; Defenders: Ian Bird, Alan
Brahmst, Sean Campbell, Robin D'Abreo, Ronnie Jagday, Rick Roberts;
Midfield: Bindi Kullar, Peter Milkovich, Ken Preira.
Forwards: Andrew Griffiths, Rob Short, Scott Smith, Paul Wettlaufer,
David Yule.
(END)