Azli Looking good

11/07/2003

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) will name its Champions Challenge
squad today, and the surprise inclusion is expected to be youngster Azli
Misron.
Malaysian hockey has very often seen brothers playing alongside each
other - K. Keevan Raj and Logan Raj, Jiwa and Jivan Mohan - and the
Champions Challenge in Randburg, South Africa on July 19-27 is also likely
to see brothers Azli and Azlan Misron playing side-by-side as the other
pairs break up.
Keevan is a sure bet for Randburg and so is Jiwa, but they will be
without their brothers in this tournament.
Azli, 18, made his debut with the seniors in the last friendly against
China and he has impressed chief coach Paul Lissek. Having played up
front, instead of his usual midfield position, Azli had made a big
impression.
The brothers, who started their hockey careers under Anderson School
coach Mokhtar Baharuddin, will be the players to watch in the next five
years.
Even if Azli does not make the cut for Randburg today, he is a sure bet
for the Junior Asia Cup in Karachi next year where Malaysia will attempt
to qualify for the Junior World Cup.
Azlan, 20, will help in the qualifiers, but he will not be eligible to
play in the 2005 Junior World Cup.
Twenty-five players underwent a gruelling two-week training stint, which
saw a fair share of absentees due to injuries or sickness. But the past
three days were different.
"It is amazing how everyone seems to be free from injuries and illness
as the tournament draws closer," lamented Lissek.
K. Gobinathan only played two matches against China because he was
injured, but the defender has since recovered and will be on the plane to
South Africa.
Sixteen players have made their mark in training and in the four
friendlies against China, and it looks like the MHF selectors will have to
decide on only two more.
Goalkeepers Roslan Jamaluddin and S. Kumar, skipper S. Kuhan, Nor Azlan
Bakar, Gobinathan, Chua Boon Huat, Jiwa Mohan, Keevan, Azlan Misron, Azli
Misron, Riduan Nasir, Ismail Abu, Tajol Rosli, P. Prabhakaran, Madzli
Ikmar and Amin Rahim are the sure bets.
So the MHF will deliberate on the fate of Norazlan Rahim, Redzuan
Ponirin, Shaiful Azli, Fairuz Ramli, Rodzhanizam Radzi and Redza Maadun
today.
(END)