ASIA’S best goalkeeper S. Kumar was not in his element during the World League Semi-finals, where Malaysai let in 20 a whopping 20 goals in six matches.
But remedial work has already started, as goalkeeper coach M. Nadarajah wants Kumar back at his best in the Asia Cup on Aug 24-Sept 1 in Ipoh.
The worst was a 6-0 drubbing in the hands of Germany in the quarter-finals, and they came off seven shots at goal in the first 18 minutes of the match.
Then there were four in the 4-4 draw against Pakistan, and four in the 6-4 win against South Africa.
“The statistics are damning, but taking a closer look, most of the goals against Malaysia came off rebounds from Kumar, and even though they looked like soft goals, it is always difficult to predict where a rebound try will head in the heat of play.
“However, Kumar is not one to give in easily, and that is why he started training earlier than the 10-days break given to the national team after Johor,” said Nadarajah, a former national goalkeeper himself.
In the Asia Cup, the stakes are high as only the champions advance to the World Cup. And with none of the Asian teams having made the grade on merit, South Korea, India, Pakistan and Japan will be firing on all cylinders.
“I will intensify penalty corner training for Kumar and Roslan (Jamaluddin) as India and Pakistan normally do the damage via drag flicks.
“It is important for the goalkeepers, as well as the penalty corner runners, to be at their best in Ipoh, so that there will not be too much of a pressure for the forwards to keep chasing for goals,” said Nadarajah.
And even though the second goalkeeper Roalan did not see any action in Johor Baru, Nadarajah believes he is just a step behind Kumar.
“There is very little that separates Kumar from Roslan and there is a healthy competition among the duo in training and this keeps both of them on their toes.
“I believe, if the goalkeeping department and the back-line play at a higher level than in Johor Baru, our forwardline will have no problem winning matches for Malaysia,” said Nadarajah.
In the Asia Cup, Malaysia are in Group A with Taiwan, Pakistan and Japan, while Group B consists of South Korea, India, Bangladesh and Oman.
