MALAYSIA Hockey League (MHL) double champions Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) might just find their backs against the wall if a decision is taken today to bar national players from the league.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) council will meet today, and the most eagerly awaited decision is whether they are going to listen to coach Tai Beng Hai, or support the club structure.
MHF, due to an indecisive competitions committee, have placed MHL clubs in a dilemma as they keep them guessing about the tournament date, the availability of national players for club duty and the structure of the MHL.
“KLHC has not made any preparations for the MHL, as we are still waiting for a concrete answer on whether national players will be allowed to play for clubs or not.
“We also have not decided on the coach yet, as K. Dhar maraj is now fully involved with the Project 2013 squad,” said KLHC team manager George Koshy.
The champions have nine national players out of 22, and if the MHF decide to bar national players from the MHL, they will be left with only 13 players.
“We will be hard-pressed to defend our titles if the nine are not allowed to represent their club. That leaves us with nothing on the bench, and at this stage, it would be difficult to find replacements as well,” said Koshy.
Beng Hai is of the opinion that the MHL should be postponed to after the London Olympics Qualifier which is slated for March next year.
And if the MHF decide to hold the tournament this year, Beng Hai is of the opinion that national players should not be released to clubs as he fears fitness and injury problems.
The national team will play two tournaments this year, starting with the Inaugural Asian Champions Trophy next month and then the Champions Challenge in November.
Sapura and Yayasan Negri Sembilan have also expressed their disappointment on the inability of the competitions committee to come to a conclusion earlier in the year, because they were unable to sign on quality foreign players to beef up their challenge.
Friday, August 19, 2011
MHF place Sapura in a tight spot
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation’s (MHF) indecisiveness have placed clubs in a tight spot, as they are unable to plan for the Malaysia Hockey League (MHF).
The MHF have left it to the 11th hour, this Saturday, to decide when they will hold the league, its format, and also if national players will be allowed or barred from the MHL.
Sapura, Overall champions in 2005, 2006 and League champions in 2004 and 2005, are one of the hardest hit clubs.
“When the MHF leave it to the last minute to decide matters ion the MHL, clubs are placed in a bind because we cant plan ahead.
“Sapura still has not signed any foreign player for this year, simply because the MHF have yet to decide when to hold the League, and we can’t simply sign a blind contract,” said Sapura team manager Abdullah Yunus.
Sapura are also waiting to see if the MHF allows national players to play in the League before they can plan their local players list.
“To be fait to clubs, we need to be informed early if national players will be allowed or barred from the MHL so that we can approach quality local players, or just concentrate on the youth that we have,” said Abdullah.
The planning for this season’s MHL has been chaotic as the MHF can’t seem to make up their mind on how appease both the clubs as well as their national coach Tai Beng Hai.
Beng Hai is of the opinion that the MHL should be postponed after the Olympic Qualifiers next year, possibly in march, so as not to disrupt his training module.
However, clubs who rely on national players and sponsors are of the opinion that the MHL should be held this year, and national players must be allowed to represent their pay masters.
A workshop was held, and those who attended decided that the MHL be held on Sept 23 minus national players. However, the decision will only be endorsed, or refined when the council meet on Saturday.
Sapura finished third in the League and second in the Overall title with help from foreign signings last season, but they have yet to get off the starting block in preparing a team for this season.
The MHF have left it to the 11th hour, this Saturday, to decide when they will hold the league, its format, and also if national players will be allowed or barred from the MHL.
Sapura, Overall champions in 2005, 2006 and League champions in 2004 and 2005, are one of the hardest hit clubs.
“When the MHF leave it to the last minute to decide matters ion the MHL, clubs are placed in a bind because we cant plan ahead.
“Sapura still has not signed any foreign player for this year, simply because the MHF have yet to decide when to hold the League, and we can’t simply sign a blind contract,” said Sapura team manager Abdullah Yunus.
Sapura are also waiting to see if the MHF allows national players to play in the League before they can plan their local players list.
“To be fait to clubs, we need to be informed early if national players will be allowed or barred from the MHL so that we can approach quality local players, or just concentrate on the youth that we have,” said Abdullah.
The planning for this season’s MHL has been chaotic as the MHF can’t seem to make up their mind on how appease both the clubs as well as their national coach Tai Beng Hai.
Beng Hai is of the opinion that the MHL should be postponed after the Olympic Qualifiers next year, possibly in march, so as not to disrupt his training module.
However, clubs who rely on national players and sponsors are of the opinion that the MHL should be held this year, and national players must be allowed to represent their pay masters.
A workshop was held, and those who attended decided that the MHL be held on Sept 23 minus national players. However, the decision will only be endorsed, or refined when the council meet on Saturday.
Sapura finished third in the League and second in the Overall title with help from foreign signings last season, but they have yet to get off the starting block in preparing a team for this season.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Japan matches give valuable insight for future
THE Five-Series Friendlies against Japan proved an in valuable insight into the Malaysian hockey team as they prepare to qualify for the Olympics after a lapse of 12 years.
The last time Malaysia played at that level was in Sydney 2000, where they ended 11th after beating Poland 3-2 in the 11th-12th classification match.
Amazingly, in the five Group A matches, Malaysia drew four and lost only one.
In the Japan friendlies, Japan won 2-1 in the first two matches, before Malaysia won 4-1 and 3-2. The last match ended 2-2, and the series ended in a draw.
“I tried out many combinations, especially in the forward- line and some of the pairings produced results while others still need work.
“In the end, the series had shown some promise in the team and we need to improve further when we play against Asia’s best in Ordos next month,” said Malaysian chief coach Tai Beng Hai.
Prolific striker Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin was rested for the five matches, after he picked up an injury during the Razak Cup in Malacca -- and that made a big difference in sharpness up-front.
Ordos will host the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy on Sept 3-11, and Malaysia will be up against Asian Games champions Pakistan, South Korea, India, China and Japan.
The two glaring mistakes which have yet to be rectified are the inability of our forwards to nail sitters, and then the mentality of losing matches in the last 10 minutes of a match.
The most evident was in the fifth friendly, where Malaysia took a 2-0 lead and then allowed in two soft goals in the last 10 minutes of play to allow Japan to share the series.
“I used the friendlies to test some new players, and when we took a 2-0 lead, I fielded some of the hopefuls to give them a fair chance.
“Also, after we took the lead, Faizal Saari had a bad fall and I thought he twisted his knee and rested him and also a few seniors so that they do not get injured in a friendly.
“I need the players to be ready and fit for not only the Asian Champions Trophy, but also the Champions Challenge (in November) and the qualifier, so three was no need to push them too hard against Japan,” said Beng Hai
Malaysia will most likely play in the Belgium Qualifier and would have to beat the hosts, as well as likely opponents Poland and Ireland.
However, if India fail to solve their domestic problem involving two hockey bodies, the International Hockey Fed eration (FIH) will take away their Qualifier hosting rights and Malaysia is highly touted to be the replacement venue.
The last time Malaysia played at that level was in Sydney 2000, where they ended 11th after beating Poland 3-2 in the 11th-12th classification match.
Amazingly, in the five Group A matches, Malaysia drew four and lost only one.
In the Japan friendlies, Japan won 2-1 in the first two matches, before Malaysia won 4-1 and 3-2. The last match ended 2-2, and the series ended in a draw.
“I tried out many combinations, especially in the forward- line and some of the pairings produced results while others still need work.
“In the end, the series had shown some promise in the team and we need to improve further when we play against Asia’s best in Ordos next month,” said Malaysian chief coach Tai Beng Hai.
Prolific striker Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin was rested for the five matches, after he picked up an injury during the Razak Cup in Malacca -- and that made a big difference in sharpness up-front.
Ordos will host the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy on Sept 3-11, and Malaysia will be up against Asian Games champions Pakistan, South Korea, India, China and Japan.
The two glaring mistakes which have yet to be rectified are the inability of our forwards to nail sitters, and then the mentality of losing matches in the last 10 minutes of a match.
The most evident was in the fifth friendly, where Malaysia took a 2-0 lead and then allowed in two soft goals in the last 10 minutes of play to allow Japan to share the series.
“I used the friendlies to test some new players, and when we took a 2-0 lead, I fielded some of the hopefuls to give them a fair chance.
“Also, after we took the lead, Faizal Saari had a bad fall and I thought he twisted his knee and rested him and also a few seniors so that they do not get injured in a friendly.
“I need the players to be ready and fit for not only the Asian Champions Trophy, but also the Champions Challenge (in November) and the qualifier, so three was no need to push them too hard against Japan,” said Beng Hai
Malaysia will most likely play in the Belgium Qualifier and would have to beat the hosts, as well as likely opponents Poland and Ireland.
However, if India fail to solve their domestic problem involving two hockey bodies, the International Hockey Fed eration (FIH) will take away their Qualifier hosting rights and Malaysia is highly touted to be the replacement venue.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Malaysia draw series with Japan
MALAYSIA drew the Five-Series friendly against Japan when they collapsed to a 2-2 draw after taking a 2-0 lead at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil last night.
Japan won the first two matches with identical 2-1 scores, but Malaysia won the third 4-1, then 3-2 and threw away the match yesterday.
Malaysia played their best match in the series, but still could not break the Japanese determination in the first half, as they defended stoutly.
Japan had one penalty corner, while Malaysia had none as the national strikers took goalbound shots, instead of trying to win penalty corners.
And they almost took the lead, when Faizal Saari beat three defenders to set up Azlan Misron, who was facing an open goalmouth, only to see the former skipper shooting wide.
In the second half, after some superb defending by goalkeeper S. Kumar denied the Japanese, Izwan Firdaus received a long pass and he beat one defender and sent a reverse stick shot which went crashing onto the board.
The goal opened up the match, and in the 55th minute, it was Faizal Saari's turn to score off a field goal to increase the lead.
Japan narrowed the lead in the 66th minute when Toshiro Tashibanu and then drew level in the 67th minute off Kenta Tanaka to force a draw.
The national team's next assignment is the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy on Sept 3-11 at the Mongolian city or Ordos.
Asian Games champions Pakistan, South Korea, India, China and Japan have confirmed for the tournament.
Japan won the first two matches with identical 2-1 scores, but Malaysia won the third 4-1, then 3-2 and threw away the match yesterday.
Malaysia played their best match in the series, but still could not break the Japanese determination in the first half, as they defended stoutly.
Japan had one penalty corner, while Malaysia had none as the national strikers took goalbound shots, instead of trying to win penalty corners.
And they almost took the lead, when Faizal Saari beat three defenders to set up Azlan Misron, who was facing an open goalmouth, only to see the former skipper shooting wide.
In the second half, after some superb defending by goalkeeper S. Kumar denied the Japanese, Izwan Firdaus received a long pass and he beat one defender and sent a reverse stick shot which went crashing onto the board.
The goal opened up the match, and in the 55th minute, it was Faizal Saari's turn to score off a field goal to increase the lead.
Japan narrowed the lead in the 66th minute when Toshiro Tashibanu and then drew level in the 67th minute off Kenta Tanaka to force a draw.
The national team's next assignment is the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy on Sept 3-11 at the Mongolian city or Ordos.
Asian Games champions Pakistan, South Korea, India, China and Japan have confirmed for the tournament.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
FIFTH FRIENDLY: Malaysia 3 Japan 2
MALAYSIA beat Japan 3-2 in the fourth friendly at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last night.
The series is now tied 2-2, as Japan won the first two friendlies with identical 2-1 scores while Malaysia won the third 4-1.
Today Malaysia will play their final friendly and need a win to seal it.
"We are slowly getting there but need to tie up some lose ends to make the team stronger. Today (yesterday) the midfield made some mistakes which allowed the Japanese to score two easy goals.
"However, the series is still tied 2-2 and we need to play much better in the last match tomorrow (today)," said national coach Tai Beng Hai.
Lanky Izwan Firdaus gave Malaysia a solid start, when he sidestepped a defender and slammed in the first goal in the 13th minute.
And Malaysia took control of the match but failed to increase the lead until they won a penalty corner in the 23rd minute.
Radzi Rahim's attempt was saved by the goalkeeper but the ball came back to him, and this time, Radzi slammed in a grounder for a 2-0 lead.
However, instead of silencing the Japanese, Malaysia collapsed by letting in two soft field goals which were scored by Hiroki Sakamato in the 26th and 28th minutes to share the spoils into tthe breather.
Malaysia played much better in the second half, and had plenty of chances to score but muffed sitters and the score remained tied.
However, in the 68th minute a pass from Faizal Saari found his brother Fitri who scored the winner to the relief of the Malaysian camp.
The series is now tied 2-2, as Japan won the first two friendlies with identical 2-1 scores while Malaysia won the third 4-1.
Today Malaysia will play their final friendly and need a win to seal it.
"We are slowly getting there but need to tie up some lose ends to make the team stronger. Today (yesterday) the midfield made some mistakes which allowed the Japanese to score two easy goals.
"However, the series is still tied 2-2 and we need to play much better in the last match tomorrow (today)," said national coach Tai Beng Hai.
Lanky Izwan Firdaus gave Malaysia a solid start, when he sidestepped a defender and slammed in the first goal in the 13th minute.
And Malaysia took control of the match but failed to increase the lead until they won a penalty corner in the 23rd minute.
Radzi Rahim's attempt was saved by the goalkeeper but the ball came back to him, and this time, Radzi slammed in a grounder for a 2-0 lead.
However, instead of silencing the Japanese, Malaysia collapsed by letting in two soft field goals which were scored by Hiroki Sakamato in the 26th and 28th minutes to share the spoils into tthe breather.
Malaysia played much better in the second half, and had plenty of chances to score but muffed sitters and the score remained tied.
However, in the 68th minute a pass from Faizal Saari found his brother Fitri who scored the winner to the relief of the Malaysian camp.
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