Scant choice makes Lissek's task lighter

08/02/2002

THE final 18 for the 2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup will be selected today,
and coach Paul Lissek admitted that there will not be any surprises.
The reason behind this is he does not have that many players to select
from.
"This is all we have. And it makes my work of selecting the World Cup
team easier," said Lissek referring to the 18 players who took part in the
recent Six-Nation where Malaysia ended last after losing to Japan on a
golden goal.
But there was a glitter of hope in the German's eyes when he said: "If
the critics open their eyes and watched the team progress steadily in the
Champions Challenge and the Six-Nation, I am sure they will know that we
will not just be making up the numbers in the World Cup.
"This team has the potential to do well at the National Hockey Stadium
in Bukit Jalil," said the German coach.
S. Kuhan and Nor Azlan Bakar, who suffered hamstring injuries during the
Champions Challenge and Six-Nation respectively, will be on the World Cup
list which means that the Malaysian Hockey Federation Selection Committee
will have to drop one player to bring back Kuhan.
And the toss is between striker Fairuz Ramly and midfielder Azlan
Misron.
Fairuz played a more prominent role in the Six-Nation and since Kuhan is
a midfielder, all fingers point to Azlan not making the World Cup squad.
"We decided to name the squad early so that the players can train with a
peace of mind for the remaining period before the World Cup," said MHF
deputy president Tan Sri P. Alagendra yesterday.
Goalkeepers Roslan Jamaluddin and Nasihin Nubli, although sure bets for
the World Cup, will have to battle until the last moment to decide who
makes the starting-11.
And since several friendlies have been arranged before the World Cup,
against Cuba, New Zealand and Spain, the two goalkeepers will get a chance
to fight for the No 1 spot until Feb 24 when Malaysia open their campaign
against the mighty Australians.
From Group B, only two teams will make the semifinals and Australia,
Olympic bronze medallists South Korea and Champions Challenge holders
India are expected to lead the fight for the two tickets.
In the eight team per-group format, fitness will play a major role in
deciding who finishes on top because eight matches will be played in 13
days under hot and humid conditions, with the hosts having a slight
advantage of having played and trained at the National Hockey Stadium in
Bukit Jalil for a longer period.
"My men are ready to give their best. They have improved a lot since the
Champions Challenge and the Six-Nation, for which I thank the MHF for
doing a wonderful job in securing both the events," said Lissek.
"We now know where we stand in the world of hockey after playing good
matches against Australia, Holland and Pakistan. And I hope a big crowd
will be at the National Hockey Stadium to support the home team because we
need all the help we can get to make an impact in the World Cup," said the
former Germany coach.
jugjet@nstp.com.my
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