NATIONAL chief coach Tai Beng Hai is fuming with anger after some quarters claimed that there are seething problems among his charges, and that is why they played badly in the two China friendlies.
Malaysia are currently involved in a five-series with China, and lost the first two matches 2-1 and 4-1.
“There are absolutely no issues among my players and neither is there a boycott by four players as claimed by several quarters.
“My charges have given me and the coaching set-up 110 per cent, so to speak, in training and also matches, and I will stand by them in any situation, that is my promise to them,” said Beng Hai.
According to Beng Hai, six of his charges are currently involved with University examinations, and juggle training, playing matches and study has led to them being heavy footed.
“I have been pressing them hard in training and at this point, they are heavy footed because of that. My end target is the Olympic Qualifiers in March, and that is when they will be primed to be at their best.
“There is no use in them peaking during the China series, because these are just friendlies which were arranged to compliment with my training.”
The coach also said his charges are perplexed and angry as to why they have been shoved into the wrong limelight, when there are absolutely no issues at hand.
“The players are hurt as reports claim that there is a split in the team. This is absolutely rubbish, and I would also like to state that we have achieved all the targets set for us, and even won a surprise silver in the Asian Games.
“The end target is the Olympic Qualifiers and I urge the critics to give the players a break and don’t be quick to judge them just because we lost two friendlies against China.
“For the record, we beat China in the World Cup Qualifier in Invercargill (3-0), then the Asian Games (4-2) and also the Asian Champions Trophy in Ordos (4-2).
“There is absolutely no reason to raise the alarm at this stage, as the coaching set-up is aware of their task at hand and we will prepare the best for Dublin,” said Beng Hai.
The national players will play their third friendly against China today at 5.30pm at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Friday, January 13, 2012
UniKL primed for JHL battle
JUNIOR Hockey League (JHL) League champions UniKL Young Guns will miss the services of 16 players for this season, but are still confident of challenging both the titles at stake.
The JHL will start on Jan 19, with a record 26 teams competing in Division One and Division Two.
UniKL will be among the nine in Division One, while 17 will be placed in two groups in Division Two.
“We started in 2010 as a feeder for the MHL (Malaysia Hockey League) and it was a success as 21 players went on to play in the senior league, and then 13 of our current and former players donned national juniors colours.
“The 13 former and current UniKl players helped Malaysia win the Sultan of Johor Cup, and four of them are also in training with the senior side for the Olympic Qualifiers,” said UniKL team manager Amir Azhar.
This is no small feat, considering that player pinching is rampant and no team can sustain its momentum without pumping in the money as well.
“We only have six players from last season to rely upon, but the new faces have proven to be capable replacements and we will be among the teams to beat for titles in Division One,” said Amir.
For this season, UniKL started preparing right after the last season ended in October.
“We have been training regularly with a Five-days a week training schedule which focused on fitness in the morning and game development in the evening.
“The Young Guns also competed in Division One of the KL League and finished in a credible fourth with five wins including against Sapura and a draw against Tenaga Na sional.
“We also organized a team-building camp from Jan 6-8 in Port Dickson and should peak nicely for the JHL,” said Amir.
Amir feels the traditional Big Four will again rule Division One: “Thunderbolt, BJSS, PJMC and UniKL Young Guns will still be the early favourites in Division One.
“While in Division Two, I expect newcomers Sapura to not only win the League title, but also make an impact in the Overall knock-out stages.”
The JHL will start on Jan 19, with a record 26 teams competing in Division One and Division Two.
UniKL will be among the nine in Division One, while 17 will be placed in two groups in Division Two.
“We started in 2010 as a feeder for the MHL (Malaysia Hockey League) and it was a success as 21 players went on to play in the senior league, and then 13 of our current and former players donned national juniors colours.
“The 13 former and current UniKl players helped Malaysia win the Sultan of Johor Cup, and four of them are also in training with the senior side for the Olympic Qualifiers,” said UniKL team manager Amir Azhar.
This is no small feat, considering that player pinching is rampant and no team can sustain its momentum without pumping in the money as well.
“We only have six players from last season to rely upon, but the new faces have proven to be capable replacements and we will be among the teams to beat for titles in Division One,” said Amir.
For this season, UniKL started preparing right after the last season ended in October.
“We have been training regularly with a Five-days a week training schedule which focused on fitness in the morning and game development in the evening.
“The Young Guns also competed in Division One of the KL League and finished in a credible fourth with five wins including against Sapura and a draw against Tenaga Na sional.
“We also organized a team-building camp from Jan 6-8 in Port Dickson and should peak nicely for the JHL,” said Amir.
Amir feels the traditional Big Four will again rule Division One: “Thunderbolt, BJSS, PJMC and UniKL Young Guns will still be the early favourites in Division One.
“While in Division Two, I expect newcomers Sapura to not only win the League title, but also make an impact in the Overall knock-out stages.”
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