Valuable lessons in defeat for Dharmaraj boys..

MALAYSIAN juniors lost 4-2 to World Cup hosts India at the Mejar Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium in New Delhi on Friday night, but there was an overall improvement in their approach and attitude.
   The juniors, in Group D with New Zealand, South Africa and England, are on a three-match tour of India to familiarise themselves with the World Cup venue, which will see 16 teams battle from Dec 6-15.
    According to team manager Mirnawan Nawawi, there was vast improvement from the final of the Sultan of Johor Cup, where Malaysia were beaten 3-0 by India.
    “Overall, it was a fantastic opportunity for us not only to get a feel of the World Cup venue, but also spar with India who might just be our opponents if we make the quarter-finals,” said Mirnawan.
    The other likely last-eight opponents, from Group C, are the Netherlands. Also in Group C are South Korea and Canada.
    India fielded 90 per cent of the players who won gold in in the Sultan of Johor Cup and took a 3-0 lead off Gurjinder Singh (second minute), Talwinder Singh (11th) and Amir Khan (35th).
    Malaysia narrowed the gap off Shahril Saabah (40th) before India nailed their fourth off Gurjinder (45th).
    The second Malaysian goal, also off a penalty corner attempt, was scored by Zulhairi Hashim in the 51st minute.
     “The players struggled to get used to the field conditions as it was slippery and a little bumpy. The players controlled the match well but India were more deadly in the semi-circle.
    “And after India took the early lead, off their first penalty corner, Syamin Yusof and Rashid Baharom created very good chances to equalise in 10th and 18th minutes but their shots were well saved by the Indian goalkeeper,” said Mirnawan.
    The juniors will play their second match today, and wrap-up the series on Monday.

Argentina 3 Malaysia 0

Super 9s Australia: Malaysian men lost 3-0 to Argentina while the women lost 4-1 to Canada.

Malaysian men go 8-0 Down Under

AUSTRALIA stopped short of scoring their ninth, in their 8-0 drubbing of the Malaysian men in the International Super Series Hockey 9s at the Perth Hockey  Stadium in Australia yesterday.
   The Malaysian women were no better, as they were hammered 10-1 by Argentina, with Siti Noor Amarina scoring the consolation off a 29th minute penalty corner.
   And in the first match on Thursday, the Malaysian men took the lead but lost 5-3 to Pakistan, while the Malaysian women were whipped 8-0 by Australia.
    Today, the Malaysian men wrap up their pool fixtures against Argentina, while the women play Canada.
   The Malaysian men are making their debut in the tournament, which has a totally different format than regular  hockey.
    Teams are only allowed to field nine players, instead of 11,  the goalpost is wider, and the match is played in 20-minute  halves instead of the usual 35 minutes.
    On Thursday, it was only 20 seconds into the match, when Nabil Fiqri  deflected in the lead, but they could not maintain the fast  pace and precision passing needed in the 9s format. The  other Malaysian goals were scored by Azlan Misron and  Sharun Nabil.
    Coach Paul Revington picked a motley crew, and fielded  some players who have not seen action in any tournament  this year, to give them a fighting chance to make the grade for  the 2014 World Cup training side.

Ek minit... Pitch will be ready..

THE Malaysian juniors will take on India in a three-test series starting Friday at the Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium in New Delhi.
   And while Malaysia are still in the midst of finalising their squad, the Dhyan Chand Stadium is also still undergoing maintenance work to make it match-fit.
   “We trained at the second pitch in the morning, and it was in good condition, however, from my observation, pitch one looked a little bumpy and dirty,” said Malaysian team manager Mirnawan Nawawi.
    Two players were included for the tour, while two from the Sultan of Johor Cup were rested.
    Firhan Ashaari, injured, and Muhammad Azwar will be left behind, while Dangerous Lee and Joel Samuel van Huizen will be tested at the test series.
   The three matches will be played Friday, on Sunday and Monday.
   “However, when we spoke to the stadium management, they did say that maintenance work will start soon, and they will wash the pitch and make it match-fit in no time,” said Mirnawan.
    Malaysia are in Group D of the Junior World Cup with England, New Zealand and South Africa. And in the last-eight cross-over, if Malaysia finish among the top-two in their group, they are likely to meet either Netherlands or hosts India.
    Malaysia last played India in the Sultan of Johor Cup, and drew 3-3 in the pool, and then lost 3-0 in the final.
   “We might just meet India in the crossover (quarter-finals) and that is why these three matches are very important to our preparations.
    “We also need to test the pitch, especially for penalty corner variations, and its better to get used to it now, than to arrive for the tournament and then find its conditions not suitable for our penalty corner flickers during the first match,” said Mirnawan.
    Chief coach K. Dharmaraj will name his final squad by Nov 18 and the team will leave for the Junior World Cup on Dec 1.

Off to test Major Dhyan Chand...

THE national juniors will get a chance to play at the Junior World Cup venue when they head for New Delhi today for a three-test series with the hosts.
    The series will be played at the Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium, which is the venue for the Junior World Cup on Dec 6-15.
    The three tests will be played on Oct 18, 20 and 21, and coach K. Dharmaraj will make two changes from his silver winning Sultan of Johor Cup side.
    Firhan Ashaari, injured, and Muhammad Azwar will be left behind, while Dangerous Lee and Joel Samuel van Huizen will be tested at the test series.
    “Even though we received a cold shoulder from the India coach (South African Gregg Clark) regarding the status of the team which will play against us in the three tests, I am still happy with the chance to play at the World Cup venue as it will give my players a feel of the artificial pitch.
    “This will be really beneficial for the penalty corner battery, as the flicker, stopper and pusher will know ehat to expect from the Dyan Chand artificial pitch,” said Dharmaraj.
    India are expected to send their junior squad to the Asian Champions Trophy in Kakamigahara, Japan, on Nov 2-10 and might field a mixed side for the tests against Malaysia.
    “Since India juniors are in training now for the Asian Champions Trophy, India coach Gregg is unlikely to field his strongest side against Malaysia as we might play them in the quarter-finals of the World Cup,” said Dharmaraj.
    Malaysia are in Group D of the Junior World Cup with England, New Zealand and South Africa. And in the last-eight cross-over, if Malaysia finish among the top-two in their group, they are likely to meet either Netherlands or hosts India.
    Dharmaraj will name his final squad by Nov 18 and the team will leave for the Junior World Cup on Dec 1.