Primed for World Cup qualifiers..

IF THE Azlan Shah Cup was a prelude of the future, the Malaysian hockey team will not disappoint their fans again in the World League Semifinals and also the Asia Cup.
  Both the tournaments offer tickets to the 2014 World Cup in the Netherlands, and Malaysia look poised to snatch one of the tickets in either the World League Semifinals in Johor Baru on June 29-July 7, or the Asia Cup in Ipoh, on Aug 24 to Sept 1.
  The fourth Azlan Shah Cup silver medal was special, as Malaysia first held 2010 World Cup champions Australia to a 1-1 draw in the pool stages and then lost narrowly 2-3 in the  final.
  For the record, Malaysia only lost one out of the six matches in Ipoh, but that was enough to deny the hosts the title which they have been waiting for 30 years, and 22 Editions.
  Not only was the stadium filled to the brim in all six Malaysian matches, but social media, Twitter and FaceBook were also on fire with fans clamoring for news and urging their men to keep marching forward.
  And nobody bashed them when they fell, because it was Australia, and not the Asian teams which Malaysia will battle again in the World League and Asia Cup.
  Malaysia beat South Korea 3-2, New Zealand 2-1, held Pakistan 2-2 and then drew 2-2 with India.
  That was the turning point in the life of Malaysian hockey, as these were the teams which had denied them the spot to the World Cup when we lost to New Zealand in the Invercargill Qualifier, and Olympics when we lost to South Korea in the Dublin Qualifier.
  Some might argue that the other teams were blooding many new players, and would be more dangerous when they re-group.
  To a certain degree, it the truth, but the rejuvenated Malaysia look capable of taking on the best with this bunch of players.
  After the final whistle against Australia, the most disappointed person was coach Paul Revington.
  Looking dejected, the coach laid down the law for his men.
  "The tournament was wonderful, but the defeat hard to swallow. I had expected a golden finish, but looking back, we will carry some valuable lessons from here into the next two important assignments this year," said the South African.
  For now, he will release his charges to Malaysia Hockey League clubs, as the senior league starts this Friday.
  However, the players that gave their all must now give their best in the MHL to be in Revington's plans for the future.
  "I will be scouting for more players from the MHL, and that means even the present players need to produce their best for their clubs if they want to continue representing the country," warned Revington.
  This is a major move from previous coaches, who selected players based on their history, and not their current form.
  As for the Azlan Shah Cup, there is always another edition to look forward to...