Germany's Matthias Witthaus (L) is challenged by Malaysia's Nabil Fiqri Noor during their Hockey Champions Trophy match in Kuala Lumpur December 6, 2007.STRIKER Tunku Ahmad Tajuddin’s misfortune turned into Nabil Fiqri’s fortune in the Hanburg Masters in Germany on Oct 3-5.
Tunku Ahmad fractured is finger while playing for his club Hilversum HC Amsterdam in the Dutch League last week, and has been ruled out for at least three weeks.
And coach Sarjit Singh replaced the striker with youngster Nabil for the International Invitational which will feature Olympic champions Germany, Pakistan and Belgium.
“I was told by his club management that their doctor said he will have to rest for at least three weeks. Tunku Ahmad and Jivan Mohan (who is also playing in Holland) were supposed to join us for the Hamburg Masters.
“But it is not a big problem, as I will get to try out Nabil and see how he fares in the Invitational,” said Sarjit.
Other than Jivan, three others who are playing overseas will also re-group in Germany for the tournament.
Chua Boon Huat is playing in New Zealand while S. Selvaraju and Baljit Singh are playing in the German League.
The national team will leave today, and there will be a friendly with a club-side before taking on three teams who played in the Beijing Olympics.
MALAYSIA -- Goalkeepers: S. Kumar, Khairulnizam Ibrahim; Madzli Ikmar, Megat Azrafiq, Baljit Singh Sarjab Singh, Sallehin Ghani, Baljit Singh Charun Singh, Amin Rahim, Kelvinder Singh.
Sukri Mutalib, Sharun Nabil, Jivan Mohan, Azlan Misron, Razie Rahim, Chua Boon Huat, S. Selvaraju, Nabil Fiqri, Ismail Abu.
HAMBURG MASTERS FIXTURES — Oct 3: Pakistan v Belgium, Malaysia v Germany.
Oct 4: Malaysia v Pakistan, Belgium v Germany.
Oct 5: Belgium v Malaysia, Pakistan v Germany.
