Tengku Abdullah gives a broad hint...

MALAYSIAN Hockey Federation (MHF) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah was so impressed with the facilities at the Taman Daya Stadium on his final inspection yesterday, that he feels it could also host the men’s senior world cup next year.
And in a week’s time, it would be the turn of the national juniors to impress the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, as he wants to see them in the semi-finals of the Junior World Cup.
Tengku Abdullah and MHF top brass first visited the newly built stadium and: “Given the short notice to complete it, I am very pleased that now we have two excellent pitches and all the other necessary facilities to hold a world class tour nament.
“ In fact the facilities here are so good that I believe we can use it for the Men's World Cup next year, if Malaysia is to be given the host’s job.”
India are the hosts for the 2010 World Cup, but many countries are said have voiced their concern to the In ternational Hockey Federation (FIH) over security, and Malaysia are said to have been placed on standby.
FIH have also given India until next month to get the Indian Hockey Federation back in order, if they want to host the senior world cup.
After visiting the stadium, Tengku Abdullah met the play ers for half an hour: “Strive to reach the semi-finals, as the country’s hopes are placed on your shoulders,” he told the boys.
Tengku Abdullah also appealed to hockey fans, par ticularly from Johor, to turn out in numbers to motivate the youngsters.
To reach the semi-finals, Malaysia must first finish top-two in Group C, which also has Spain, South Korea, USA and England.
For the record, Malaysia finished 10th in the Junior World Cup four years ago in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.