Gobinathan out of Azlan Shah Cup

22/03/2003

MALAYSIA lost a steady defender yesterday when K. Gobinathan was declared
medically unfit to play in the Azlan Shah Cup which starts in Ipoh today.
But it was good news for young Wan Asyrizal from Kelantan who impressed
the selectors enough in the three Test matches against Pakistan to make
his international debut in the Azlan Shah Cup.
Gobinathan pulled a thigh muscle while playing in the second Test
against Pakistan and tournament doctor, R. Ramanathan advised the team
management not to risk aggravating his injury.
"Dr. Ramanathan said that Gobinathan needs at least six weeks of rest to
recover and if we still persist on utilising him, he might be floored for
the next six months," said Malaysian team manager Zulkifli Abbas.
Zulkifli said the management decided to rest him because he would be
needed for the Champions Challenge in South Africa and the Asia Cup more
than the Azlan Shah Cup.
Gobinathan, Rodhanizam Radzi, Redzuan Ponirin and Engku Abdul Malek were
the players dropped from the squad after the team managers
meeting yesterday.
Asyrizal, 20, and Fakrulrazi Bagarudin, 19, are among the newcomers that have caught the eye of national chief coach Paul Lissek in his quest for a good finish in the Azlan Shah Cup.
Malaysia finished last in the previous edition in 2001, and Lissek has a
golden opportunity to take his team to a third-place finish in the absence
of India, who pulled out at the eleventh-hour, and Australia who declined
invitation because they had domestic commitments.
Malaysia have been progressing steadily in the three Test matches
against Pakistan and now it looks like the only team that can trouble them are World and Azlan Shah Cup defending champions Germany.
Goalkeeper Roslan Jamaludin was a pale shadow of his former self in
recent weeks, but yesterday he received news that his wife had delivered a
baby boy and rushed home for a day, and according to Zulkifli, they hope
it will boost his game.
"He (Roslan) has not been up to the mark and it is likely that Paul
(Lissek) might opt for second choice S. Kumar in the starting line-up
against Korea tomorrow (today)," said Zulkifli.
Malaysia have a good chance of beating South Korea and New Zealand but the matches against Pakistan and Germany will test their character to the limit.
(END)