THE humidity in Malaysia and Singapore will likely affect the performance
of some teams competing in the Men's Junior World Cup which starts on
Sunday.
But Australia are coming well prepared as a specially designed training
camp in Darwin has allowed their players to acclimatise with the expected
humid conditions.
A total of 18 players were named for the Junior World Cup after the
intense training camp in Darwin, where trainees were put through a
variety of programmes.
Australia, who were runners-up in the 2005 Rotterdam edition, are in
Group B with Chile, Germany, Japan and South Africa. The team arrived in
Singapore on June 1.
Coach Jason Duff said the training camp in Darwin was invaluable in
making the final decision on the squad make up.
"We have obviously kept an eye on this squad of players for some time,
but to have them all in the one place at the one time allowed us to gain
an ever further insight into each player," Duff told www.fihockey.org.
"My players have been exposed accordingly in top class tournaments
including last year's Junior World Cup Qualifier and the Australian
Olympic Youth Festival in January."
Duff said his team have the experience to do well in the World Cup.
Australia won the Junior World Cup in 1997 in Milton Keynes, England
and were second in 1982 (Kuala Lumpur), 1989 (Ipoh), 2005 (Rotterdam).
The squad: Leon Hayward, Adrian Lockley, Malcolm Kemp, Aaron
Kleinschmidt, Josh Pollard, Chris Bausor, Matthew Boyce, Michael Bates,
Tim Bates, Matthew Swann, Kris Glass, Matt Gohdes, Jacob Whetton, Josh
White, Tristan White, David Collins, Kieran Govers, Scott Garner.
Meanwhile, Malaysia were beaten 3-2 by Belgium in their second
international friendly at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru yesterday.
Malaysia coach K. Rajan said his charges did well to match the Belgians
in every department.
"I tested several of my stronger players and they gave a good account
of themselves. Performance wise, my players have passed their test.
Asked about the performances of R.Nadesh and Sybrie Shamsuddin, who
both have just returned from injuries, he said the duo are fully fit for
the Junior World Cup.
"They played very well against Belgium and showed no signs of injuries.
I will test them again in the final friendly against Pakistan on Thursday
(tomorrow)," he added.
