Watch the two videos below, captured by yours truly (http://www.malaysianhockey.blogspot.com/) where His Royal Highness Sultan Azlan Shah, the life president of the Malaysian Hockey Federation takes the national coaches to task on the performance of the team in the match against China, which incidentally Malaysia won 2-0.
Rather then write about it, I leave it to the readers to make their own assumptions, from issues ranging to coaching methods, them declining help and also not having the winning mentality.
I must add that it was indeed rare to get HRH to speak on the fortunes on the team but when he speaks his mind, its earth shattering.
And talking about MHF, it was sad that no MHF official was present at the stadium to receive HRH Sultan Azlan Shah.
Although HRH may have decided at the last hour to witness the match, the fact that only K. Krishnan, a staff of the MHF office was present. He was accompanied by Lt. Kol B. Muthukumar in receiving Tuanku, the other office bearers of MHF missing.
A quick phone call by the Tuanku's aide to NSC Director General Dato Zolkples Embong saw the DG leaving a meeting to attend to Tuanku, a noble act given that MHF officials and the office was empty at 5.00pm, sans Krishnan.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Azlan Shah takes coaches to task
PIC: Malaysia’s Kelvinder Singh (right) attempts to get past China’s Tianjun in their friendly yesterday. Malaysia won 2-0. Pic by Supian AhmadBy Ajitpal Singh
FORMER Malaysian Hockey Federation president Sultan Azlan Shah took the national coaches to task and jokingly said he would "hang them" if the national team fail to qualify for the London Olympics.
Hockey
Sultan Azlan met national coach Tai Beng Hai, assistant coach Nur Saiful Zaini, team manager George Koshy and National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong in a meeting which lasted about 20 minutes, after Malaysia's 2-0 victory over China in an international friendly at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
"Not good enough... all aspects, especially penalty corners... they tend to make mistakes in the circle, and whenever they claim for a foul, they shout 'kaki, kaki, kaki'. But when they attack, they don't push the ball onto the legs of their opponents to earn corners," said Sultan Azlan, also the president of the Asian Hockey Federation, yesterday.
"The coaches should be trained, not the players. I wanted to bring in help but the coaches refused."
Malaysia have been drawn with South Korea, Ireland, Russia, Ukraine and Chile in Olympic Qualifiers in London on March 10-18.
"An acquaintance of mine, Nick Holden, offered the services of a South African who was formerly coaching the Irish team but our coaches declined.
"They (national coaches) also did not want the help of Paul (Lissek). In this situation, we should use all the help we can get. They said they can handle. The team better qualify or I will hang them," he added jokingly.
Sultan Azlan then summoned Zolkples, and the NSC head later confirmed that the coaches had declined the offer of assistance from the two coaches.
Asked about the team's qualification chances, Sultan Azlan said: "Korea are there and we cannot discount Ireland, it is going to be difficult.
"The team must have a winning attitude... they must play to win... like Tiger Woods. It is all in the head," said Sultan Azlan.
In yesterday's friendly, Malaysia scored in each half in their 2-0 victory over China. The scorers were Razie Rahim (15th) and Firhan Ashaari (69th).
The team face China in their fifth and final friendly at the same venue today at 6pm.
Azlan Shah slams coaches
By Aftar Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) president Sultan Azlan Shah took the national hockey team’s coaches to task after watching Malaysia’s fourth friendly against China at the National Hockey Stadium in Buklit Jalil yesterday.
Sultan Azlan, who is also the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) president, jokingly said: I will hang them (coaches) if the national team do not qualify for the London Olympics. The coaches need training more than the players.”
He also had a heart-to-heart talk with national coach Tai Beng Hai, assistant coach Nor Saiful Zaini and team manager George Koshy. Also present was National Sports Council (NSC) Director-General Datuk Zolkples Embong.
Sultan Azlan, who is also life president of the now defunct MHF, was apparently very unhappy with the coaches who turned down his offer to help the national team qualify for the Olympics.
The MHF were dissolved on Dec 17 and the Malaysia Hockey Confederation (MHC) took over as the governing body of hockey as of January this year.
“An acquaintance of mine, Nick Holden from South Africa, knows a former Ireland coach who is willing to help out but our coaches did not take up his offer.
“I also want to bring back former national coach Paul (Lissek) to help but the coaches don’t want his services either.”
Zolkple, confirmed that our coaches did not want the duo’s help.
Malaysia, who are preparing for the Olympic qualifier in Dublin from March 10-18, played a pathetic game against China but still managed to win 2-0 in the fourth test match yesterday.
Defender Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim gave Malaysia the lead from the first penalty corner in the 15th minute before Mohd Firhan Ashaari scored in the 69th from a field goal.
It was Malaysia’s second win of the five-match series. They lost the first two matches (2-1) and (4-1) before winning the third (4-2).
The two teams will square off in the fifth and final match today at 6pm.
When asked about the current team, Sultan Azlan said they were not good enough.
“They are not good in all aspects especially in penalty corners. Every time when the opponents are in their D, they claim for leg faults (kaki, kaki, kaki). When they are in the opponents semi-circle the players are not hitting the ball onto the opponents’ legs,” he said .
Sultan Azlan said that the players must have the “winning attitude”.
“They must play to win like golfing great Tiger Woods. They must use their heads.”
Asked about the chances of qualifying for the Olympics, Sultan Azlan said it is going to be tough.
“It is not going to be easy against South Korea and Ireland in the qualifier,” said Sultan Azlan.
Malaysia failed to qualify for the last two Olympics in Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008). They last played in the Sydney Olympics in 2000. -- THE STAR
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) president Sultan Azlan Shah took the national hockey team’s coaches to task after watching Malaysia’s fourth friendly against China at the National Hockey Stadium in Buklit Jalil yesterday.
Sultan Azlan, who is also the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) president, jokingly said: I will hang them (coaches) if the national team do not qualify for the London Olympics. The coaches need training more than the players.”
He also had a heart-to-heart talk with national coach Tai Beng Hai, assistant coach Nor Saiful Zaini and team manager George Koshy. Also present was National Sports Council (NSC) Director-General Datuk Zolkples Embong.
Sultan Azlan, who is also life president of the now defunct MHF, was apparently very unhappy with the coaches who turned down his offer to help the national team qualify for the Olympics.
The MHF were dissolved on Dec 17 and the Malaysia Hockey Confederation (MHC) took over as the governing body of hockey as of January this year.
“An acquaintance of mine, Nick Holden from South Africa, knows a former Ireland coach who is willing to help out but our coaches did not take up his offer.
“I also want to bring back former national coach Paul (Lissek) to help but the coaches don’t want his services either.”
Zolkple, confirmed that our coaches did not want the duo’s help.
Malaysia, who are preparing for the Olympic qualifier in Dublin from March 10-18, played a pathetic game against China but still managed to win 2-0 in the fourth test match yesterday.
Defender Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim gave Malaysia the lead from the first penalty corner in the 15th minute before Mohd Firhan Ashaari scored in the 69th from a field goal.
It was Malaysia’s second win of the five-match series. They lost the first two matches (2-1) and (4-1) before winning the third (4-2).
The two teams will square off in the fifth and final match today at 6pm.
When asked about the current team, Sultan Azlan said they were not good enough.
“They are not good in all aspects especially in penalty corners. Every time when the opponents are in their D, they claim for leg faults (kaki, kaki, kaki). When they are in the opponents semi-circle the players are not hitting the ball onto the opponents’ legs,” he said .
Sultan Azlan said that the players must have the “winning attitude”.
“They must play to win like golfing great Tiger Woods. They must use their heads.”
Asked about the chances of qualifying for the Olympics, Sultan Azlan said it is going to be tough.
“It is not going to be easy against South Korea and Ireland in the qualifier,” said Sultan Azlan.
Malaysia failed to qualify for the last two Olympics in Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008). They last played in the Sydney Olympics in 2000. -- THE STAR
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