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Syed Kashif Shah of Pakistan traps the ball during the match between
Pakistan and India on day four of the International Superseries at Perth
Hockey Stadium on October 23, 2011 in Perth, Australia.
PAKISTAN named their players for the Junior Asia Cup with a surprise inclusion of four players who played in the 2011 Champions Trophy in Auckland, New Zealand on Dec 3-11.
The four did not come down to Malaysia for the three series they played against Malaysia where Pakistan won the first two 5-3 and 4-3 before Project 2013 won the third 5-3.
The four Pakistan stalwarts are Syed Kashif Shah (19), Muhammad Tousiq (17), Ali Shan (19) and Muhammad Rizwan (18).
“I expected Pakistan to include the four players to strength en their team. The four also did not play in the Sultan of Johor Cup, but since they are in another group, the possibilities of playing them is only in the semi-finals,” said Project 2013 coach K. Dharmaraj.
India, automatic qualifiers, are in Group B with Pakistan, China and Sri Lanka. In Group A are Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and Iran.
PLAYERS: Mazhar Abbas, Syed Kashif Shah (Vice-Capt), Muhammad Khalid, Aleem Bilal, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Tousiq, Tasawwar Abbas, Kashif Javed, Zohaib Ashraf, Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Umar Bhutta (Capt), Muhammad Dilber, Ali Shan, Muhammad Suleman, Muhammad Umair, Hafiz Umer Sardar, Muhammad Jaffar and Hafiz Rizwan Ali.
OFFICIALS: Rana Mujahid Ali (Manager/Head Coach), Danish Kaleem, Anjum Saeed & Ahmed Alam (Coaches), Asad Abbas Shah (Team Doctor) & Syed Abu Zar Umrao (Video-Analyst).
PIC: By http://www.malaysianhockey.blogspot.com/
....The floodgates opened in the second half as the Japanese scored six unanswered goals. The hosts spent nearly the entire half camped in front of the Malaysian net and used the experience to craft some fancy plays that included tic-tac-toe goals and spinning behind the back moves. Malaysia could do little to stop the onslaught as they were visibly frustrated and worn out. ... FIH
THE Malaysian women’s hockey team were hammered 8- 0 by Japan in the Olympic Qualifier in Kakamigahara yesterday.
The whitewash, at the back of a 4-0 defeat to Azerbaijan, shattered Malaysia’s dream of playing in the London Olympics.
Now, they will play for fourth to sixth placing, to strengthen their world rankings.
Japan, ranked ninth in the world, took a 2-0 lead at the half-time against 23 ranked Malaysia.
And six more goals, including a penalty stroke, came Japan’s way in the remaining 35 minutes. Malaysia next play Belarus tomorrow, and it is expected to be another uphill battle for the ladies.
RESULTS: Azerbaijan 3 Belarus 0; Japan 7 Malaysia 0; Austria 0 Chile 3.
TOMORROW: Chile v Japan; Austria v Azerbaijan; Belarus v Malaysia.
PIC: FITRI SAARI
PROJECT 2013 named their final 18 for the Junior Asia Cup yesterday, with coach K. Dharmaraj keeping his eyes firmly on the gold medal.
The tournament, from May 3-13, also doubles up as the Junior World Cup Qualifier with two seats up for grabs in Malacca.
India as hosts are automatic qualifiers, while the seven other teams will battle for the two finalists spots to make the grade for New Delhi next year.
In Group A with Malaysia are South Korea, japan and Iran. While in Group B are defending champions India, Pakistan, China and Sri Lanka.
“I was in two minds whether to name two goalkeepers or an extra outfield player in the final squad of 18. And after playing a series of friendlies with Pakistan, South Korea and Australian County sides, I have decided to opt for two goalkeepers in case one gets injured,” said Project 2013 coach K. Dharmaraj.
And that was the toughest decision the coach had to make on his line-up, as the rest were easy to pick.
“Against Pakistan and South Korea I played mixed teams and that is why the results were erratic. However, when I used the final 18 for the Australian County side, we won 7-1, 9-2 and 7-0 (match stopped at 55th minute after both parties agreed).
“The Country team is a matured side which is better than their Australian Juniors, and it was a big boost in the run-up to the Junior Asia Cup,” said Dharmaraj.
Against Korea, the Project team lost the first 2-1 but then thrashed them 9-1. They lost the third 5-3 but won the final match 6-5.
And against Pakistan, they lost the first two 5-3 and 4-3 before winning the third 5-3.
In the 18 named yesterday, five players who helped Malaysia win the inaugural Sultan of Johor Cup were dropped, as seniors like Faizal Saari made their debut.
Meanwhile, the National Under 16 tournament received a boost of RM 35,000 in cash and kind from main sponsors Nestle.
The tournament will be held on April 27-May 4 at two venues -- Sungai Petani and Alor Star.
“Twelve teams have registered for the tournament and we will be hosting it again next year, as the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) have decided to award two consecutive rights for age-group tournaments,” said Organising Chair man S. Satish Kumar, who is also the Kedah HA deputy president.
Kedah are in Group B with runners-up Malacca, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Penang and Perlis.
Four-time consecutive champions Kuala Lumpur are in Group A with Kelantan, Selangor, Pahang, Johor and Tereng ganu,
“We have set a target of reaching the semi-finals, and I believe it will be a tough tournament as all states have been preparing for months for it,” said Satish.
MALAYSIA: Azrul Faiz (gk), Shahrul Azaddin (gk), Izad Hakimi, Noor Faez Ibrahim, Kavin Kartik, Shahrul Imran, Faiz Helmi, Aslam Hanafiah, Fitri Saari, Azri Hassan, Ra madan Rosli, Nor Hizzat Sumantri, Shazril Irwan, Amir Farid, Firhan Ashaari, Faizal Saari, Syamim Yusof, Deddy Aryadi.
FORMER Malaysian hockey captain Ow Soon Kooi (pics) was yesterday conferred the Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP) which carries the Datuk title in conjunction with the 81st birthday of Sultan Ahmad Shah.
The former cop, who is now a businessman, was conferred the title as his contribution to the sport is vast and he played in two World Cups as well as two Olympics.
He could have been a triple Olympian, as Malaysia qualified for the Moscow Olympics, but the nation boycotted the event.
Soon Kooi’s debut with the national side was at the 1973 Sea Games in Singapore, where Malaysia were beaten to the gold medal by the hosts. That was the only Sea Games hockey gold medal which the country failed to clinch.
He then played in the 1974 Asian Games in Teheran, and then the 1978 Buenos Aires and Mumbai 1982 World Cups as well as the 1976 Olympics in Montreal and 1984 Los Angles Olympics.
However Soon Kooi, now the Penang HA president, went through some hard times before making it good in life.
He failed his Senior Cambridge examinations in 1971, all due to his passion for hockey as he neglected his studies despite being amongst the top 60 students in an open examination.
Soon Kooi then started working as a waiter in a local hotel for 18 months and continued playing hockey and was selected for the 1973 Sea Games squad.
He then joined the Penang Port Commission as a fireman and went back to his books to complete and pass his Senior Cambridge exams.
After which he joined the Royal Malaysian Police as an Inspector and is now the Chairman of Olympic Sports Hotel.
By Ajitpal Singh
ajitpalsingh@nst.com.myMALAYSIA were hammered 4-0 by Azerbaijan in their opening Olympic Qualifying match in Kakamigahara, Japan yesterday.
Azerbaijan, represented by several Korean-born players, led 2-0 at half-time through a Yulia Muradi brace from penalty corners in the 17th and 31st minutes.
Myung Soon Mammadova (45th) and Yuliya Muradi (56th) completed the rout.
Goalkeeper Farah Ayuni Yahya saved a penalty stroke to avoid further embarrassment for Malaysia.
The team managed to penetrate into Azerbaijan’s semi- circle but failed to convert their chances, including from four penalty corners.
“We were attacking quite a bit especially in the first half but luck was not on our side. The score does not reflect how we played,” said coach Nasihin Nubli yesterday.
“My players tried hard to prove something but their goalkeeper (Farida Mammadova) was on form.
“Furthermore, their naturalised players made a huge difference as they were the ones controlling play.”
Malaysia must beat favourites Japan tomorrow to stay in the hunt for a spot at the London Olympics.
“We were beaten 4-2 by Japan in our last meeting at the 2010 Asian Games. I believe we have a chance if we play to strategy on Friday (tomorrow,” Nasihin added.
Results — Japan 7 Austria 0, Belarus 3 Chile 1, Azerbaijan 4 Malaysia 0.
