Malacca rest

28/02/2003

THE national team will head for Malacca on Sunday to prepare for the Azlan
Shah Cup, as chief coach Paul Lissek seeks solace from the hustle-and-
bustle of city life.
Yesterday, the trainees underwent a National Sports Council fitness
test, and Lissek was happy with the progress so far.
"Last year while preparing for the Kuala Lumpur World Cup, we had our
last training in Kuantan because the boys were tired of the routine.
"For the Azlan Shah Cup, we will train in Malacca for nine days and
other than a break in routine. I will also have all of them attending
training because in Kuala Lumpur, some of the players have too many
excuses not to attend," said Lissek.
Some of the national players will be given a break on Sunday to compete
in the Batu Pahat (Johor) Sixes, before reporting for the Malacca camp.
The Azlan Shah Cup, starting on March 22-31 in Ipoh, will showcase
defending champions Germany, Pakistan, India, New Zealand, South Korea and
Malaysia. while Pakistan have named their squad early, Malaysia will
select 20 players for Test matches against Pakistan and South Korea before
dropping two.
"I will select 20 players for the four Test matches just before the
Azlan Shah Cup and then drop two players. I need to keep everyone on their
toes and not take their spots for granted," said Lissek.
Under the FIH rules, teams need to name their players 14 days before a
tournament.
In the Test matches, Malaysia will play Pakistan on March 17 and 18
while on the 19th, it will be against South Korea. The Pakistan matches
will be at the National Hockey Stadium in Kuala Lumpur while the Korea
match will be held in Ipoh.
After the Azlan Shah Cup, the national team will play four Test matches
against the United States of America at the National Hockey Stadium.
"After the Azlan Shah Cup, the national team will play against the US on
March 3, 6, 8 and 10. The Americans will also be playing against the
National Juniors on March 24, 26 and 29 at the Azlan Shah Stadium in
Ipoh," said Lissek.
Meanwhile, Pakistan have selected a mixed team for the Azlan Shan Cup by
adding three new faces - Adnan Maqsood, Mohammad Aqeel and Shakeel Abbasi.
The three will fill in for Mohammad Sarwar and training absentee
Ghazanfar Ali.
(END)