League format now

18/08/2003

EGYPT and Polish Division One Champions Gneizno have pulled out of the FIH
Youth Carnival starting in Poland today, so now there will be no final and
the League champions will lift the title.
The FIH gave no reasons for the withdrawals.
Malaysia, the inaugural champions last year, will now open their
campaign against Pakistan and the prospect of landing the title again
looks much brighter.
In the earlier fixtures, Malaysia were slated to play Germany first and
were drawn in Group A which also had Pakistan and Gneizno.
But with the League system, Malaysia stand a good chance as the
Malaysian Hockey Federation Selection Committee has injected five
experienced hands to defend the gold medal.
The inclusion of Azli Misron, P. Prabahkaran, Megat Azrafiq, Ismail Abu
and Jivan Mohan added extra bite to the team.
Teams: France, Germany, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Poland.
Fixtures: Today- India v France, Malaysia v Pakistan, Germany v Poland;
Aug 20: France v Malaysia, Germany v India, Poland v Pakistan; Aug 21:
Malaysia v India, France v Poland, Germany v Pakistan; Aug 23: Malaysia v
Germany, Pakistan v France, India v Poland; Aug 24: Germany v France,
Poland v Malaysia, India v Pakistan.
(END)