Khairil: Don't bungle it

KHAIRIL ANUAR

CONFIDENCE should not lead to overconfidence.

That is Khairil Anuar's call to his teamamates as Malaysia meet England in their Junior World Cup opening match today in Johor Baru. The 21-year-old skipper said the Malaysian team are primed for the task of reaching the semi-finals, a target set by the Malaysian Hockey Federation. "My team-mates and I have been preparing for this day for a long time now. If we do not become overconfident against England, we will collect maximum points," said the stocky defender who started playing hockey after being encouraged by his mother, Sabriah Adam, a headmistress at Sekolah Hashim Awang in Kepala Batas, Penang, "I studied at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bagan Ajam and I am proud to say that Izzat (Rahim), Jamil (Saidin) and Izwan (Firdaus) were also my school mates and we graduated to become Junior World Cup players," said Khairil. England, according to coach K. Rajan, are among the best teams in Group C, which also has Malaysia, Spain, South Korea and USA. 'I have watched England grow in strength in every tournament, and they are a well balanced side. However, I have my plans to upset their rhythm, and hopefully, start on a winning note," said Rajan. While many teams were seen lugging their equipment to the Taman Daya Stadium for last minute tune-ups, the Malaysian team took a break by lazing around their hotel pool, and then had a video session on the game plan against England. "We have done all the ground work, and I felt that the boys must relax before the big day, and there was no need to push them on the field. "I showed them England's strengths and weaknesses, and the boys know what to expect in the opening encounter.Our target is still the semi-finals, and I believe we can achieve it if the defenders keep their cool. "We have never failed to score against the teams which we played against since I took over eight months ago... which means I have talented forwards. But the problem is that when the forwards score three goals, the defenders have been guilty in letting in the same number, and we have many draws to show this trend," said Rajan. Though the coach has been working on the defenders, the Malaysian backline is till shaky. And this is where Khairil, the skipper, will have to be extra sharp. "I know the backline has been guilty of letting slip many winning situations after the forwards have done their part and scored. Being a defender and skipper, I will try to see to it that we make as few mistakes as possible," said Khairil. GROUPINGS: Group A: Argentina, Belgium, Egypt, Pakistan, Russia; Group B: Australia, Chile, Germany, Japan, South Africa; Group C: Malaysia, South Korea, US, Spain, England; Group D: India, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Sin gapore. FIXTURES -- Today: Group A: Belgium v Egypt (5pm, Johor), Pakistan v Russia (5.30pm, Johor); Group B: Japan v South Africa (5pm, Singapore), Germany v Chile (7.30pm, Singapore); Group C: South Korea v US (7pm, Johor), England v Malaysia (7.30pm, Johor); Group D: Netherlands v Singapore (5.30pm, Singapore), New Zealand v Poland (7pm, Singapore). Tomorrow -- Group A: Russia v Argentina (7pm, Johor); Group B: Chile v Australia (5.30pm, Singapore), Poland v Netherlands (5pm, Singapore); Group C: Egypt v Pakistan (5.30pm, Johor), Malaysia v South Korea (7.30pm, Johor); Group D: South Africa v Germany (7pm, Singapore), Sin gapore v India (7.30pm, Singapore).