Beng Hai's boys to spar with top nations

THE priority is to qualify for next year's World Cup and to ensure thenational team fulfil their mission. As such the Malaysian HockeyFederation (MHF) has arranged a series of test matches with tophockey-playing nations before the Qualifiers in November.
Malaysia, who finished fourth in the recent Asia Cup, will start withthree test matches with Ireland next month before the team play in theChampions Challenge II in Dublin on July 6-12, where Tai Beng Hai's teamneed to finish in the top-two bracket to improve their world ranking andget an easier draw in the World Cup Qualifiers.
They will then head to the Oceania region where they will faceAustralia in a five-test series at the end of July before playing sixmatches with New Zealand in August.
The team will continue with the Europe tour after Hari Raya inSeptember where they will be play eight international matches. As a final tune-up for the World Cup Qualifiers, the national team willplay five test matches with Australia at a yet-to-be-decided venue.
MHF deputy president Nur Azmi Ahmad said the test matches will allowcoach Beng Hai to gauge his charges before the World Cup Qualifiers.
"We are fortunate that top nations are interested to play test matcheswith us. I believe that playing top hockey nations on a regular basiswill improve the team's overall strength," said Nur Azmi yesterday. Malaysia must do well in the Champions Challenge II in July in order toget a favourable draw for the World Cup Qualifiers.
There will be three qualifying tournaments - Lille (Oct 31-Nov 8),Auckland (Nov 7-15) and a yet-to-be-confirmed venue (Nov-TBC).