Malaysia’s Harvinder Singh Makbul Singh (second from right) is outnumbered by Singapore players in their match on Friday. — Pic: ZULKARNAIN AHMAD TAJUDDIN TWO coaches quit because of the national juniors, and a third finds himself in a possibly similar situation as the future of Malaysian hockey has shown little promise in the ongoing Four-Nation at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru.
Malaysia and Singapore co-host the Junior World Cup on June 7-21, and it looks like both will be battling to avoid last place.
Last year, Tai Beng Hai quit after this batch of players went on a losing spree of 30 friendly and tournament matches, and V. Muraleedharan was appointed as the replacement.
But barely six months into the job, Muraleedharan also sent in his quit letter, when the juniors fared miserably in the Kuala Lumpur Eight-Nation, the Poland Four-Nation, Europe friendlies and the final straw was when they drew 2-2 with Singapore in the Junior Asia Cup in Hyderabad, India.
The boys did receive a sarcastic 'Terima-Kasih" from their coach after the match for their poor display against a country which will be playing in its first Junior World Cup by virtue of being co-hosts.
"I watched a recording of the match last night and the indication was that the boys could have scored at least five goals, but the last touch was missing after mounting good attacks."
Rajan, despite being let down on Friday, said that won't happen today.
Today -- Third-Fourth: Malaysia v Singapore (5pm); Final: India v Pakistan (7.30pm).
