Nasihin returns from the dead

17/08/2003

THE national hockey team, in dire need of a good goalkeeper, had their
prayers answered as former international Nasihin Nubli (pic) has shown
interest in making a comeback.
Nasihin, who quit after the 2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup, is still among
the better goalkeepers in the country as he has kept himself in the
picture by playing for Sapura in the Malaysia Hockey League.
Assistant national coach Arul Selvaraj, who still does not have a clue
on the status of Nasihin, however, said the goalkeeper has started
training with the national side.
"Nasihin's issue is for the Malaysian Hockey Federation to ponder upon.
I have heard that he was told to write in to the MHF on his intention to
rejoin the national team, but have not seen anything in black and white.
"However, he has started training on his own, while Roslan (Jamaluddin)
and (S.) Kumar are in the national team programme," said Arul.
The red tape is expected to be sorted out before chief coach Paul Lissek
returns from the Champions Trophy where he has gone to watch Malaysia's
opponents in the Asia Cup - India and Pakistan - in action.
Lissek will also give a talk during a coaching course held in
conjunction with the Champions Trophy.
The national team had everything going for them in the Champions
Challenge in South Africa, but were relegated to the last spot when both
Roslan and Kumar made schoolboy mistakes and conceded goals from acute
angles.
Meanwhile, the national juniors left for Poland on Friday to defend
their FIH World Youth Festival trophy not having a clue about which team
has withdrawn from the tournament.
MHF secretary S. Satgunam said he received a call from the FIH saying
that one team has withdrawn, making it a seven-team tournament, but was
still waiting for the FIH E-mail to confirm the withdrawal and the new
fixtures.
When Malaysia left for Poland, they were drawn in Group A with Germany,
Pakistan and the Polish Division One champions. In Group B are India,
France, Poland and Egypt.
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