Malaysia enter the unknown

07/03/2003

THE National team left for Dhaka, Bangladesh yesterday for the Asian
Hockey Federation Under-16 Tournament without a clue about their
opponents.
India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh make up the Four-Nation, but the early
indication is that Malaysia will do well.
Ten were selected from Junior Hockey League team Sports School Juniors,
two are from Johor Sports Council, three from Kelantan and one from
Terengganu.
While the Sports School Juniors brought forward their two JHL matches,
Terengganu Schools Sports Council, who have a crucial match against Tenaga
Nasional today, allowed their key player Ridzwan Yusof to travel to Dhaka.
"The Dhaka tournament will be good experience for the Under-16 team
because they wil be exposed to playing at a higher level. We do not have
any information about the rest of the teams, but judging from our own
preparations, we are confident of doing well in the Four-Nation," said
coach Yayha Atan.
The opening match is against India tomorrow, and it might be the
toughest because Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are not known for their hockey
prowess.
The stalwart of the team is Razie Rahim who saw action in last year's
FIH Youth Carnival in Poznan, Poland where Malaysia beat Germany 2-1 in
the final.
Five other players, Baljit Singh, Muhsin Hamsani, Hafis Jami and Fitri
Abu Bakar saw action in the January Under-19 Four-Nation and will be
looked upon to deliver the blows.
"We have selected some new players from Kelantan and Terengganu for the
Dhaka tournament because we need to expose them early and have continuity
for the national pool," said Yahya.
Under-16 squad: Khairul Azahar (Bukit Jalil Sports School), Baljit Singh
Sarab Singh (BJSS), Ahmad Bakri Marfi (BJSS), Hairul Ibrahim (BJSS),
Muhsin Hamsani (BJSS), Hafis Jami (BJSS), Nabil Fiqri (BJSS), Razie Rahim
(BJSS), Fitri Abu Bakar (BJSS), Abdul Hakim Adnan (BJSS), Hang Edzharshah
Hang Tuah (Bandar Penawar Sports School), Izful Hayat Aman (Bandar Penawar
Sports School), Zulkarnain Che Azis (SMK Hamzah, Kelantan), Azuan Lewi
(SMK Hamzah, Kelantan), Faizull Noor (SMK Mengkebang, Kelantan), Ridzwan
Yusof (SMK Padang Midin, Terengganu).
Team Manager: Kon Chen Choong; Assistant Manager: V. Muraleedharan;
Coach: Yahya Atan; Technical Officlal: Khairuddin Zainal; Umpire: Hashim
Yusoff.
(END)