FILE PIC: Pakistan's Waqas Sharif (L) is challenged by Malaysia's Chua Boon Huat during their Hockey Champions Trophy match in Kuala Lumpur December 3, 2007.MALAYSIA beat New Zealand 2-0 in a warm-up at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh yesterday, and trimmed the Azlan Shah Cup squad to the final 18.
There were no major surprises, as goalkeeper Fairul Wanasir, defender Megat Azrafiq and forwards Herwan Pami and Fekri Basaar were dropped after the final selection.
Malaysia will be up against New Zealand, Pakistan, India and Egypt in the Azlan Shah Cup from April 5-12.
Yesterday, Amin Rahim gave Malaysia the lead in the 10th minute off a penalty corner attempt, while Chua Boon Huat scored the second in the 18th minute, and the two goals were enough to win the friendly.
“I got the feeling that New Zealand were still acclimatising when they played us today (yesterday) and the heat (9am) was too much for them.
“However, the result is a good boost, as this is our last training match before we play in the tournament,” said national chief coach Tai Beng Hai.
The squad: Goalkeepers: S. Kumar, Khairul Nizam Ibrahim; Defenders: Amin Rahim, Madzli Ikmar (capt), Sukri Mutalib, Engku Malik, Baljit Singh Sarjab, Baljit Singh Charun.
Midfielders: Shahrun Nabil, Jivan Mohan, Kelvinder Singh, Nabil Fiqri, Azlan Misron; Forwards: S. Selvaraju, Ismail Abu, Chua Boon Huat, Hafifi Hafiz, Amerullah Aziz.
FIXTURES: April 5 -- Egypt v India (5pm), Malaysia v Pakistan (7pm); April 6: New Zealand v Pakistan (5pm), Malaysia v Egypt (7pm).
April 7: REST DAY.
April 8: Egypt v New Zealand (5pm), India v Malaysia (7pm); April 9: New Zealand v India (5pm), Pakistan v Egypt (7pm).
April 10: REST DAY.
April 11: India v Pakistan (5pm), New Zealand v Malaysia (7pm); April 12: Third-Fourth (4.30pm), Final: (7pm).
