Time to polish up and correct errors

31/01/2002

THE national hockey team is picking up the pieces, with attention focused
on individual mistakes in the run-up to the 2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup on
Feb 24 to March 9.
In the just concluded Six-Nation, the shape of the team was there but a
handful of individual mistakes led to an embarrassing defeat against Japan
during the 5th-6th position playoff.
The joke circling the hockey circuit is that: After the Six-Nation, the
Malaysian team no longer has any fans, only sympathisers.
Team manager Datuk R. Yogeswaran said they conducted a series of video
sessions yesterday and pointed out mistakes made by players.
"Psychologically they were a little disturbed after losing to Japan but
that was to be expected. So we conducted a few motivational courses and
brought them out of the shell they went into after the defeat.
"The fans could see for themselves that the structure of the team is
already there and physically, all the players are ready for the World Cup.
So now, more attention will be paid on individual mistakes," he said.
Goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin, benched for three matches for not
following instructions in the Six-Nation, made a strong bid for the No 1
spot in the last match against Japan and has impressed the selectors
enough to get back his place in the starting-11.
"Roslan has made amends in his match after the blunder against Pakistan
and we are happy with his progress," said Yogeswaran.
The other glaring individual mistake was made by K. Keevan Raj against
Holland where his weak backpass was intercepted and the Dutch came back to
level terms against Malaysia. It was the turning point of the match, and
the Dutch went on to win.
After the match, coach Paul Lissek was seen sitting in the stands with
Keevan, obviously consoling the player for the blunder which changed
Malaysia's fortunes in the Six-Nation.
Some saw the Six-Nation as a big mistake for the national team because
their glaring weaknesses were on display for the world to see, but those
who disagree are just as many.
"The Six-Nation was the best thing for the Malaysian team because now we
have about a month to rectify the mistakes before the World Cup. Imagine
what would have happened if those mistakes were carried into the World
Cup?" said Yogeswaran.
S. Kuhan, the penalty corner hope for Malaysia, has made a steady
recovery and has joined training. But Nor Azlan Bakar, who marshalls the
defence with Maninderjit Singh and Madzli Ikmar, is still bogged down with
a hamstring injury he suffered in the first match against Japan.
"The rest of the players are mentally and physically ready for the World
Cup. Our mission right now is to give them individual attention and polish
some of their skills. Other than that, players will just keep themselves
fit and wait for the big day to arrive," said Yogeswaran.
Malaysia will play a handful of friendlies before the World Cup and open
campaign against Australia on Feb 24 itself.
This is not a do-or-die match for the hosts, because they have six other
matches to recover if the Aussies play to form and nail Malaysia, not many
questions will be asked.
But if the hosts lose to Japan again in the World Cup, Malaysians will
be hard pressed for good words to describe the team. And they might lose
the sympathisers as well.
jugjet@nstp.com.my
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