By Ajitpal Singh
ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my
LONG serving Chua Boon Huat has represented Malaysia in all major competitions since he made his international debut in 1998 and with age catching up on him, he hopes to feature in his second World Cup in New Delhi, next year.
And he wants to relish his World Cup dream by helping Malaysia win the ongoing 8th AirAsia Men's Asia Cup in Kuantan.
"We are making steady progress and it is important that we maintain it throughout the tournament. I believe that if everyone contribute accordingly, the team will qualify for New Delhi," said the 29-year-old Boon Huat in Kuantan yesterday.
"I have been around for quite a while and have achieved everything in hockey. But my dreams are to feature again in the World Cup. As age is cataching up, I think this will be my last chance in trying to play in the World Cup."
"The Asia Cup offers us the best opportunity and if we don't win it, it will be tough to earn a place through the qualifiers (November). I'm not trying to say that I'm quiting anytime soon but I don't think I will be around in three or four years time."
His notable achievements were the two silver medals won in the Commonwealth Games (1998-Kuala Lumpur; 2006-Melbourne) and the bronze in the 2002 Busan Asian Games.
Boon Huat, who hails from Badar Hilir Malacca, also played in the Junior World Cup ( 2001-Hobart), Olympic Games (2000-Sydney), World Cup (2002-Kuala Lumpur) and the Champions Trophy (2007--Kuala Lumpur). He also earned himself a place in the 2002 Asian All-Star team.
The others, who featured in all major tournaments are captain Mohd Madzli Ikmar and Jiwa Mohan.
He made his international debut in the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games at the age of 17, where he started off as a defender before he was converted into a striker about three years. He has earned 292 caps and scored 60 goals so far for his country.
"The Malaysian team have not been doing well internationally for quite sometime but I believe that with the present setup and the guidance from coach Beng Hai (Tan), there will be some improvement."
"It has been a good year so far for the team but it's too early to tell. The second placing the the recent Azlan Shah Cup is a fantastic result, which the team needed badly to boost their confidence but the road to recovery and improvement is still far off."
"People wll only acknowledge the team if it does well in priority tournaments like the Asia Cup," said Boon Huat, who had stints with semi-professional outfits Red & White Munich (2002-Germany), Teddington (2005-England) and Auckland (New Zealand-2008).
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Sohail strike kills India
By Ajitpal Singh
ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my
SOHAIL Abbas' trademark penalty corner goal helped Pakistan edge rivals India 3-2 in a thrilling Group B encounter, which was stopped for about 45 minutes due to the heavy downpour, in the 8th AirAsia Men's Asia Cup at the Wisma Belia Stadium in Kuantan yesterday.
Sohail, in his first international tournament after two years, only found his rhythm in his fourth penalty corner attempt, when he sent a low drive past India's goalkeeper Baljit Singh in the 55th minute for the winning goal which ensured Pakistan a spot in the semi-finals.
Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan said his players played their hearts out yesterday to notch this important victory.
"It's always a pressure game against India. We took our chances well and it made the difference. I told my players to play aggressive and it left India back trekking in most periods of the match," said Shahid yesterday.
India started on the right note when Prabhjot Singh scored off the rebound from the penalty corner attempt by captain Sandeep Singh in the 16th minute.
Pakistan players protested as they felt Prabhjot had committed a foul but it was turned down by New Zealand umpire Simon Taylor.
Pakistan began to make inroads deep in India's defence and were awarded when Haseem Khan, after getting past Sandeep, sent a delightful reverse attempt into the top net leaving keeper Baljit Singh rooted in the 32nd minute.
The Pakistan team were inspired and shocked India's sleepy defence when they took a 2-1 lead through Haseem's field attempt in the 36th minute.
India turned on the heat and found their equaliser when Sardar Singh deflected a pass from Gurbaj Singh, 10 minutes later. After the goal, the technical officer stopped the match for nearly 45 minutes due to the heavy downpour.
Pakistan dominated proceedings and deservingly scored their third though Sohail in the 56th minute. India turned on the heat and pressed for an equaliser but to no avail.
India, the defending champions, have to beat China tomorrow, to earn a place in the semi-finals.
ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my
SOHAIL Abbas' trademark penalty corner goal helped Pakistan edge rivals India 3-2 in a thrilling Group B encounter, which was stopped for about 45 minutes due to the heavy downpour, in the 8th AirAsia Men's Asia Cup at the Wisma Belia Stadium in Kuantan yesterday.
Sohail, in his first international tournament after two years, only found his rhythm in his fourth penalty corner attempt, when he sent a low drive past India's goalkeeper Baljit Singh in the 55th minute for the winning goal which ensured Pakistan a spot in the semi-finals.
Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan said his players played their hearts out yesterday to notch this important victory.
"It's always a pressure game against India. We took our chances well and it made the difference. I told my players to play aggressive and it left India back trekking in most periods of the match," said Shahid yesterday.
India started on the right note when Prabhjot Singh scored off the rebound from the penalty corner attempt by captain Sandeep Singh in the 16th minute.
Pakistan players protested as they felt Prabhjot had committed a foul but it was turned down by New Zealand umpire Simon Taylor.
Pakistan began to make inroads deep in India's defence and were awarded when Haseem Khan, after getting past Sandeep, sent a delightful reverse attempt into the top net leaving keeper Baljit Singh rooted in the 32nd minute.
The Pakistan team were inspired and shocked India's sleepy defence when they took a 2-1 lead through Haseem's field attempt in the 36th minute.
India turned on the heat and found their equaliser when Sardar Singh deflected a pass from Gurbaj Singh, 10 minutes later. After the goal, the technical officer stopped the match for nearly 45 minutes due to the heavy downpour.
Pakistan dominated proceedings and deservingly scored their third though Sohail in the 56th minute. India turned on the heat and pressed for an equaliser but to no avail.
India, the defending champions, have to beat China tomorrow, to earn a place in the semi-finals.
Bangladesh should be easy
By Ajitpal Singh
ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my
BANGLADESH have not played a Class 'A' tournament for almost two years and Malaysia have been doing so quite extensively for decades.
And when both teams meet in today's Group A match of the 8th AirAsia Men's Asia Cup, logically, the hosts should easily walk a way with an overwhelming victory in Kuantan, which will put them in the advance stage of qualifying for the semi-finals.
Bangladesh are not in a same class as Malaysia and it was demostrated a few days when the national juniors, who are preparing for next month's Junior World Cup, mauled them 6-1.
The Juniors have set a benchmark score and the seniors should make attempts in scoring more than them against the minnows.There is no reason why the seniors can't do it.
The Malaysian players are gradually improving at this stage and their confidence are also on the high after the unexpected 1-1 draw with World No 5 South Korea on Saturday.
But being Malaysians, the hockey team are prone to take things lightly against minnows and thus end up struggling for the win in matches where they should be piling up the goals.
National interim coach Tai Beng Hai understands this sticky situation and he has adviced his players to give their 100 per cent against Bangladesh.
"There are no easy teams in this tournament. Bangladesh are minnows in the game but we need to treat them with respect. They can be dangerous if taken lightly," said Beng Hai in Kuantan.
"The game plan is off course to score a big win as it may be crucial in our qualification to the semi-finals. Our players are experienced enough to win this match easily."
"The players, I feel, are mentally and physically stronger after the four-and-half-months of training and they are slowly getting their confidence back. It's important that they keep it the unward momnetum going in this tournament."
However, Beng Hai is set to make some changes in his first-11 with some fringe players expected to start the match.
"It's not huge changes but small ones. Those who played a small role against South Korea, for instance, S.Selvaraju and Jivan Mohan, will play a bigger role tomorrow (today)."
Beng Hai may opt to field forward Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Jalil and Engku Malek Engku Mohd, who rested against Korea, for today's match.
Both teams last met in the 2006 Doha Asian Games, where Malaysia thrashed Bangladesh 6-1 in the fifth-eight placing match.
Malaysians may be familiar with some of the names in the Bangladesh team. Captain Jimmy Rasel Mahmud and Mamun Ur Rahman featured in last season's Malaysian Hockey League.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh coach Gerhad Peter Rach said it will be a victory for his team if they lose 5-0 to Malaysia.
"Our target in this tournament is to score a goal in a Class 'A' international match. Malaysia are light years away better than us. My players have not gone out of their country for quality matches for almost two years and I cannot expect much from them here." said Rach, who took over the team only six weeks ago.
"My players don't know how to handle pressure due to lacking in experience. Bangladesh hockey can only improve if the players play more quality matches outside the country,"
TODAY'S FIXTURES
Group A: Japan v South Korea (5pm); Malaysia v Bangladesh (7pm)
(Both matches at Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium in Kuantan).
ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my
BANGLADESH have not played a Class 'A' tournament for almost two years and Malaysia have been doing so quite extensively for decades.
And when both teams meet in today's Group A match of the 8th AirAsia Men's Asia Cup, logically, the hosts should easily walk a way with an overwhelming victory in Kuantan, which will put them in the advance stage of qualifying for the semi-finals.
Bangladesh are not in a same class as Malaysia and it was demostrated a few days when the national juniors, who are preparing for next month's Junior World Cup, mauled them 6-1.
The Juniors have set a benchmark score and the seniors should make attempts in scoring more than them against the minnows.There is no reason why the seniors can't do it.
The Malaysian players are gradually improving at this stage and their confidence are also on the high after the unexpected 1-1 draw with World No 5 South Korea on Saturday.
But being Malaysians, the hockey team are prone to take things lightly against minnows and thus end up struggling for the win in matches where they should be piling up the goals.
National interim coach Tai Beng Hai understands this sticky situation and he has adviced his players to give their 100 per cent against Bangladesh.
"There are no easy teams in this tournament. Bangladesh are minnows in the game but we need to treat them with respect. They can be dangerous if taken lightly," said Beng Hai in Kuantan.
"The game plan is off course to score a big win as it may be crucial in our qualification to the semi-finals. Our players are experienced enough to win this match easily."
"The players, I feel, are mentally and physically stronger after the four-and-half-months of training and they are slowly getting their confidence back. It's important that they keep it the unward momnetum going in this tournament."
However, Beng Hai is set to make some changes in his first-11 with some fringe players expected to start the match.
"It's not huge changes but small ones. Those who played a small role against South Korea, for instance, S.Selvaraju and Jivan Mohan, will play a bigger role tomorrow (today)."
Beng Hai may opt to field forward Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Jalil and Engku Malek Engku Mohd, who rested against Korea, for today's match.
Both teams last met in the 2006 Doha Asian Games, where Malaysia thrashed Bangladesh 6-1 in the fifth-eight placing match.
Malaysians may be familiar with some of the names in the Bangladesh team. Captain Jimmy Rasel Mahmud and Mamun Ur Rahman featured in last season's Malaysian Hockey League.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh coach Gerhad Peter Rach said it will be a victory for his team if they lose 5-0 to Malaysia.
"Our target in this tournament is to score a goal in a Class 'A' international match. Malaysia are light years away better than us. My players have not gone out of their country for quality matches for almost two years and I cannot expect much from them here." said Rach, who took over the team only six weeks ago.
"My players don't know how to handle pressure due to lacking in experience. Bangladesh hockey can only improve if the players play more quality matches outside the country,"
TODAY'S FIXTURES
Group A: Japan v South Korea (5pm); Malaysia v Bangladesh (7pm)
(Both matches at Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium in Kuantan).
Brasa's immediate goals
By Ajitpal Singh
ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my
NEWLY appointed India chief coach Jose Manuel Brasa's immediate goals are to guide the national team to the podium in the Men's World Cup in New Delhi (March 7-20) and also the gold medal in the Asian Games in Guangzhou (Nov 12-27), both next year.
Brasa is aware that he has a tough task ahead but the 55-year-old Spanish-born coach believes India are capable of making it big again in world hockey.
"If the India players play with their hearts and soul then it is possible to finish on the podium in the World Cup. It too short period to prepare a well-tuned side for the World Cup but India players are skillful and with a little bit of changes in their style will surely do slight improvement for them," said Brasa, who was the man behind Spain's women's team's gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, in Kuantan yesterday.
"My aim would be to put India on a path that will take them to greater heights. I will only select the best players to represent the country. I have been given a freedom to pick players and plan the training system."
India's only World Cup title was achieved in the 1975 Kuala Lumpur World Cup, when the then side, captained by Ajitpal Singh defeated Pakistan 2-1 in the final.
Brasa, also a former Spanish Indoor hockey coach, signed a contract with the India Government to coach the national team till in the 2010 Asian Games with a possible two-year extension of his contract.
"I'm not in India to make immediate changes. The best style may only work for some teams and this is why I need to understand the culture of the game in India first before introducing new things," said Brasa, who will takeover the coaching duties of the India team after the 8th AirAsia Men's Asia Cup in Kuantan.
He also noticed that the India team compete in too many tournaments and spend little time on the training ground.
"India have been competing an average of one tournament in a month since last October that is too taxing."
"As for the World Cup, I will probably have about five or six months to work on the team as they will be on tour in between before the tournament. Time is not on my side by I have to work hard in that time frame. Of course, I have made it clear that the target is the Asian Games gold medal in Guangzhou," added Brasa.
ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my
NEWLY appointed India chief coach Jose Manuel Brasa's immediate goals are to guide the national team to the podium in the Men's World Cup in New Delhi (March 7-20) and also the gold medal in the Asian Games in Guangzhou (Nov 12-27), both next year.
Brasa is aware that he has a tough task ahead but the 55-year-old Spanish-born coach believes India are capable of making it big again in world hockey.
"If the India players play with their hearts and soul then it is possible to finish on the podium in the World Cup. It too short period to prepare a well-tuned side for the World Cup but India players are skillful and with a little bit of changes in their style will surely do slight improvement for them," said Brasa, who was the man behind Spain's women's team's gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, in Kuantan yesterday.
"My aim would be to put India on a path that will take them to greater heights. I will only select the best players to represent the country. I have been given a freedom to pick players and plan the training system."
India's only World Cup title was achieved in the 1975 Kuala Lumpur World Cup, when the then side, captained by Ajitpal Singh defeated Pakistan 2-1 in the final.
Brasa, also a former Spanish Indoor hockey coach, signed a contract with the India Government to coach the national team till in the 2010 Asian Games with a possible two-year extension of his contract.
"I'm not in India to make immediate changes. The best style may only work for some teams and this is why I need to understand the culture of the game in India first before introducing new things," said Brasa, who will takeover the coaching duties of the India team after the 8th AirAsia Men's Asia Cup in Kuantan.
He also noticed that the India team compete in too many tournaments and spend little time on the training ground.
"India have been competing an average of one tournament in a month since last October that is too taxing."
"As for the World Cup, I will probably have about five or six months to work on the team as they will be on tour in between before the tournament. Time is not on my side by I have to work hard in that time frame. Of course, I have made it clear that the target is the Asian Games gold medal in Guangzhou," added Brasa.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Pakistan in Asia Cup semis
Heroic save: Pakistan goalkeeper Salman Akbar foiling an India attempt at goal during their Asia Cup match yesterday. — BernamaIndia 2 Pakistan 3; South Korea 3 Japan 2.
SOHAIL Abbas' trademark penalty corner goal helped Pakistan edge rivals India 3-2 in a thrilling Group B encounter, which was stopped for about 45 minutes due to the heavy downpour, in the 8th AirAsia Men's Asia Cup at the Wisma Belia Stadium in Kuantan yesterday.
Sohail, in his first international tournament after two years, only found his rhythm in his fourth penalty corner attempt, when he sent a low drive past India's goalkeeper Baljit Singh in the 55th minute for the winning goal which ensured Pakistan a spot in the semi-finals.
Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan said his players played their hearts out yesterday to notch this important victory.
"It's always a pressure game against India. We took our chances well and it made the difference. I told my players to play aggressive and it left India back trekking in most periods of the match," said Shahid yesterday.
India started on the right note when Prabhjot Singh scored off the rebound from the penalty corner attempt by captain Sandeep Singh in the 16th minute.
Pakistan players protested as they felt Prabhjot had committed a foul but it was turned down by New Zealand umpire Simon Taylor.
Pakistan began to make inroads deep in India's defence and were awarded when Haseem Khan, after getting past Sandeep, sent a delightful reverse attempt into the top net leaving keeper Baljit Singh rooted in the 32nd minute.
The Pakistan team were inspired and shocked India's sleepy defence when they took a 2-1 lead through Haseem's field attempt in the 36th minute.
India turned on the heat and found their equaliser when Sardar Singh deflected a pass from Gurbaj Singh, 10 minutes later. After the goal, the technical officer stopped the match for nearly 45 minutes due to the heavy downpour.
Pakistan dominated proceedings and deservingly scored their third though Sohail in the 56th minute. India turned on the heat and pressed for an equaliser but to no avail.
India, the defending champions, have to beat China tomorrow, to earn a place in the semi-finals.
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