Juniors impress against Singapore

THE National Under-17 hockey team lost 4-2 to Singapore Junior World Cup trainees at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
But they had already wrapped-up the three-series friendly, as they beat Singapore 4-2 and 1-0 in the first two match es.
And team manager Mirnawan Nawawi feels his charges showed promise in the series: “This team is being trained for the 2013 Junior World Cup, and from what I saw in the three matches, the boys have great potential.”
Mirnawan, a former national skipper, said their com mitment in training was also refreshing.
“We only called-up the boys four days before playing Singapore, and even then, their commitment in training and discipline was at the highest level, and the sport certainly has a good future if we keep them together,” said Mirnawan.
Singapore, according to their coach Lim Chiow Chuan, are having difficulties finding opponents to spar before the Junior World Cup in June 7-21.
“Funding is limited, and so we will not be playing as many matches as I want before the World Cup. I am in the midst of arranging for a playing Tour of Australia, and would also like to play the Malaysian Juniors if they are available.
“And once the pitch in Singapore is ready to be tested, I hope a few teams will come there and play with us,” said Lim.
The Under-17 team will next play a series of friendlies with a visiting Under-17 team from Punjab.