Malaysia face big India test

10/12/2001

MALAYSIA will know today whether they have a team which is capable of
putting up a strong challenge in the 2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup on Feb
24-March 9.
If they can steal three points, or even snatch one from India at the
National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today, half the battle is won and a
good finish in the World Cup can be expected.
The early indications - after wins over Japan (1-0) and Belgium (2-0) -
are that Malaysia are still wet behind the ears and need more
international exposure after the Champions Challenge.
This being the case, the Malaysia Hockey Federation (MHF) are working
overtime to ensure the team plays at least 15 more matches before the
World Cup.
Against Japan and The Belgians, Malaysia used the very effective tactic
of shutting out the teams in the first-half and after the break, come out
with all guns blazing to score.
Malaysia's German coach Paul Lissek said his players were nervous in the
first-half in both matches but from the stands, one could see that they
had total control. They were making good passes and holding on to the ball
for long periods.
But against India, it will be different.
The Indians are very skillful and they love to play 70 minutes of
attacking hockey.
India's coach Cedric D'Souza said: "Malaysia always play well at the
National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil because they get good crowd
support.
"But we have been training hard since the World Cup Qualifiers in
Edinburgh in July and are confident of putting up a good show."
India played very well against Belgium whom they beat 1-0 and South
Africa (2-2) but they muffed about 10 goal-scoring chances in each match.
This can be put down to their speedy forwards who love going solo and
rarely make passes when in the semicircle.
Jugraj Singh and skipper Baljit Singh have yet to click in the penalty
corner set-pieces while Junior World Cup skipper Gagan Ajit Singh seems to
have hit a bad patch after a sterling performance in Hobart.
The 2-2 draw against South Africa was an eye opener for India as it
showed that they are vulnerable at the back when the entire team moves up
when on the attack.
Lissek feels his team is capable of playing better hockey.
"I am very happy with the way the team has played so far in the
Challenge but there is still room for improvement. The defence
(Maninderjit Singh, Nor Azlan Bakar and goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin) have
had an excellent tournament so far and have not let in a single goal,"
said Lissek.
"But then, we have always had good defenders but lacked forwards but I
see a change in the format now.
"Rodhanizam Radzi and Tajol Rosli are growing in confidence with each
match and by the time the World Cup begins in February, they would have
matured enough to put up a better fight."
K. Keevan Raj played to form in both matches but brother Logan Raj, at
times looked lost. He rarely got the ball because he was out of position.
Junior World Cup skipper Chua Boon Huat is another who has yet to put
his heart into his play. He is guilty of some schoolboy mistakes.
Jiwa Mohan, who was not on the original list of 16 players for the match
against Belgium, has yet to recover from the humiliation of the Junior
World Cup.
Everytime S. Shanker, an expert at making dangerous backpasses, comes in
during the running substitution, the crowd becomes uneasy.
"I have tried out everyone on the bench because I believe in giving
those who do well a rest after giving their 100 per cent in a match.
"But some of them go in and make mistakes which have already been
pointed out to them during the video sessions," said Lissek.
Against India today, Malaysia cannot afford to make mistake or slacken
because Dhanraj Pillay and company are always ready to pounce like
panthers when in the semicircle.
But if South Africa could hold India to a draw, there is no reason why
Malaysia, with home ground advantage and the crowd behind them, should not
beat them.
jugjet@nstp.com.my
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