`Sluggish' trainees check into camp

03/01/2002

THE 2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup trainees checked into camp yesterday after
a two-week festival break, and they looked a little sluggish.
Stephen van Huizen, in charge because Paul Lissek is still in Germany on
holiday, said some of his charges were a little sluggish, but he plans to
whip them back into shape in two week's time.
"It is only natural that they look a little tired after a long break,
but there is nothing to worry about because they were given a fitness
programme for the holidays, and from what I can see today (yesterday),
they did their homework.
"Training on your own is different but now that they are back in camp, I
am confident that they will get the rhythm back in two week's time," said
Stephen.
Only four players did not check into camp yesterday but all of them had
valid reasons.
"K. Logan Raj is not feeling well and produced a Medical Certificate,
Jiwan Mohan still has some loose ends to tie up and Saiful Azli requested
for two more days because his wife just delivered a baby. The other
absentee today (yesterday) is Redzuan Ponirin who is still attending
classes.
"I am very happy with the turnout today (yesterday) because it showed
that they are committed towards the World Cup," said Stephen.
Mirnawan Nawawi was back to his normal self and there was no indication
that he was still troubled by the muscle tear on his left calf which he
suffered before the Champions Challenge in December.
While Stephen is in charge (Lisek is only coming back on Sunday) he is
going to concentrate on fitness and short corner set-pieces.
"We will have to work on the short corners because we missed too many in
the Champions Challenge. I have watched the team in action on video and
identified their weaknesses in short corners and Stephen will be working
to overcome the shortcoming," said national team manager Datuk R.
Yogeswaran.
The team will know where they stand when the Six-Nation, involving
Holland, Pakistan, New Zealand, Japan, Australia and Malaysia, begins on
Jan 18.
"The Six-Nation will be like a warm-up before the World Cup and after
facing some of the big names in hockey, the boys should be ready to face a
gruelling World Cup in February," said Yogeswaran.
jugjet@nstp.com.my
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