Beng Hai bloods Project 2013 players

NATIONAL chief coach Tai Beng Hai decided to blood two Project 2013 players when he named his side for the Inaugural Asian Champions Trophy in Ordos, China, on Sept 3-11.
Project players Fitri Saari, 18, and Amir Farid, 20, trained with the seniors for one week, and impressed the coach enough during the Japan friendlies to be included in the senior squad.
Former skipper Azlan Misron was left out due to injury, while forward Hafifi Hafiz requested not to be included because of personal reasons.
Prolific player Kelvinder Singh was also excluded as the coach looks toward new hands.
“Since the Asian Champions Trophy does not offer ranking points, I decided to try out two Project 2013 players and left behind those who were carrying injuries.
“It must be remembered that the KPI (Key Performance Index) is the Champions Challenge and Olympic Qualifiers and this tournament is only good for exposure,” said Beng Hai.
However, Beng Hai said those not in the squad have no reason to despair: “I have my reasons to select new players and leave out some experienced hands. However, those left out still have time to recover from injuries and improve themselves to be named for the more important Champions Challenge and Qualifier.”
Malaysia will open accounts with Pakistan on Sept 3, while the other teams are South Korea, India, Japan and China.
India will also be without their best penalty corner flicker Sandeep Singh and midfielder Sardar Singh who both walked out of training and now face possible disciplinary action.
As for Pakistan, who beat Malaysia 2-0 in the Asian Games final, both the goal scorers Rehan Butt and Sohail Abbas as well as Salman Akbar has been dropped from the Ordos team.
Meanwhile Malaysia will find their Olympic Qualifier journey much tougher now as one of the hosts, Belgium, beat Spain 3-2 in the EuroHockey Championship on Thursday.
EuroHockey semifinalists Belgium, England, Geroamy and Netherlands have qualified for the Olympics, leaving Malaysia to contend with Spain if we are placed in the European group.
Goalkeepers: S. Kumar, Roslan Jamaluddin; Defenders: Razie Rahim, Baljit Singh, Madzli Ikmar, Amin Rahim, Azreen Rizal; Midfielders: Marhan Jalil, Nabil Fiqri, Azammi Adabi, Shahrun Nabil, Shukri Mutalib, Fitri Saari.
Forwards: Faizal Saari, Tenngku Ahmad Tajuddin, Izwan Firdaus, Firhan Ashaari, Amir Farid.
Coach: Tai Beng Hai; Assistant coach: Nor Saiful Zaini; Manager: Stephen van Huizen.