Malaysia need thinking players

30/01/2003

THE National Under-21 Tournament, if nothing else, showed that Malaysian
hockey is at a crossroad - we have a large pool of skilled players but
very few thinking ones.
In contrast, the New South Wales AIS team rarely relied on skill, but
their players made up for it with intelligent play and, deservedly, lifted
the trophy in their maiden appearance.
Losing finalists Kuala Lumpur had the largest number of skilful
players, Azlan Misron and Tajol Rosli to mention two, who could slice open
any defence with their deft dribbling but they received little support
from their team-mates who failed to read their passes.
KL were easily the better side in the final, but they failed to use
their brains - especially when they were 4-2 up. They should have just
dropped back and kept possession of the ball and irritate the Aussies.
"We did everything right, but inexperience showed in the final as the
boys did not know what to do after taking a 4-2 lead," said KL coach Nor
Saiful Zaini. "I tried to tell them to drop back and start keeping the
ball for longer periods, especially by making back-passes and slowly
taking control of the match.
"But they were too eager to score more goals and, instead, let in three
easy goals and we lost the title."
Present at the final was a pool of national selectors, led by chief
coach Paul Lissek to scout for talent, and all of them shook their heads
in disbelief when KL let slip their two-goal lead.
Maybe they should take up the offer made by NSW AIS coach Larry McIntosh
for a Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) delegation to come to Australia
and take a look at their structure and methods used in training.
"We had a very good outing in the Under-21 tournament and we achieved
the target that we set out for. Malaysia were very good hosts and maybe we
will be back in two years time to defend our title," said McIntosh.
Malacca, who finished fifth, were the most improved State team in the
tournament. They did not send a team to the Malaysia Games in Sabah, but
their St David's High School finished second in the recent Champions
Schools and in the Under-21 their youth showed alot of promise.
In fact, one of their most skilful players Ahmad Anuar Sham, impressed
the scouts with his skill and strong will.
Ahmad was selected for the recent Under-19 Four-Nation but could not
attent due to a leg injury suffered when he fell off his motorbike. But in
the Under-21, he looked like he had fully recovered and should be among
the boys who will receive national call-ups.
The States which fared badly and need to buck up are Kelantan (10th),
Selangor (11th), Penang (12th) and Armed Forces Apprentice Training School
(13th).
They were the whipping boys of the tournament because their players not
only lacked skill, but had no direction. They looked like they took part
just to make up the numbers.
"The inclusion of New South Wales provided an opportunity for our boys
to get the feel of playing a good side at an early age so that they will
not be overawed when they face foreign teams at the senior level," said
MHF secretary S. Satgunam.
(END)