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FIH president Leandro Negre from Spain with Sultan Azlan Shah
PIC BY: http://www.malaysianhockey.blogspot.com/
The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) yesterday decided that Ipoh will host the 2013 Asia Cup, which also doubles up as a 2014 World Cup Qualifier.
The AHF Council decided on Malaysia instead of Singapore, the initial hosts.
“We have decided to award the host job to Malaysia and I am happy to announce that it will be held in Ipoh next year,” said AHF President Sultan Azlan Shah.
“The dates have yet to be determined as we will also have to take into consideration the annual Azlan Shah Cup.”
Malaysia last played in the World Cup in 2002 when they hosted the event. Prior to that Malaysia qualified for the 1998 Utrecht World Cup after a 16 years with their previous appearance being in 1982 in Bombay.
Sultan Azlan also announced that the AHF-MHC Academy will now be known as the Raja DatukSeri Ashaman Academy, in honour of the second son of Sultan Azlan Shah who passed away on March 30 this year.
On the Malaysian team’s performance in the Azlan Shah Cup: “I am not happy with the performance as we concede easy goals, especially in the match against New Zealand,” said Sultan Azlan.
“We need to work on our defense as it leaks easily. But I must say I am pleased with the performance of the young players in the team as they have put up a decent performance.”
Faizal Saari celebrates his goal during the Malaysia-China match at the 16th
Asian Games in Guangzhou 2010.
NATIONAL juniors coach K. Dharmaraj is looking to send 20 of his charges to play in overseas leagues, as the offers have been pouring in since Malaysia won the Junior Asia Cup.
Faizal Saari, six goals in the Junior Asia Cup and four goals in the ongoing Azlan Shah Cup, has received an offer to play for a Spanish club in the European Hockey League.
“My target is to have at least 20 juniors playing overseas this year and arrangements are currently being handled by team manager Mirnawan Nawawi.
“There have been offers from New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Germany, Holland, Belgium and Ireland for the juniors and the only thing holding back is the uncertainty over the local calendar,” said Dharmaraj.
The worry is over the Malaysian Hockey League, as if it is held in August onwards, many players who have signed one- year contracts with clubs will not be able to travel over seas.
“I hope if the scheduled stints clash with the MHL, the local league would be postponed to a later date as it would be difficult to get release from clubs who have signed the juniors for the whole year,” lamented Dharmaraj.
As for Faizal: “He is fast becoming an asset to Malaysian hockey and if he plays for the Spanish club, it will be top- notch exposure in the competitive EHL (European Hockey League),” said Dharmaraj.
Faizal and Shukri Mutalib played in the Australian Hockey League last year, after Faizal showed super form to score three goals in the last Azlan Shah Cup.
“Izzat (Sumantri) and Noor Faeez (Ibrahim) played in the Dutch League (in 2010) and their transformation was just amazing.
“Back then, the players were supported by the National Sports Council as clubs were not ready to fork their bill. But now, our juniors are receiving offers which cover their flight, accommodation and other benefits.
“This certainly is a turning point for Malaysian hockey and the opportunity must not be missed,” said Dharmaraj.
MALAYSIA wrap-up their Azlan Shah Cup pool fixtures against Argentina today, and a defeat might see them having a rest day on Sunday.
Malaysia, who finished seventh last year, might just end up with the same number if Pakistan and South Korea win their matches.
And there is no classification match for the seventh placed team on Sunday.
“It will be a difficult as Argentina would be looking to play in their second Azlan Shah Cup final. We can’t afford to let in easy goals and then chase in the second half, that will have to change tomorrow (today),” said Malaysian coach Tai Beng Hai who is staring at his last assignment as the Malaysian Hockey Confederation scout for a foreign replacement.
For the record, Malaysia came back from behind to hold South Korea 1-1, then another comeback to hold Britain 3-3 and finally their third comeback to beat Pakistan 3-2.
And the last time Malaysia played Argentina was in the Champions Challenge where Beng Hai’s men took a 2-0 lead only to collapse 5-2.
“We have much in stake in the final encounter as a win will not only give us a middle finish, but also pave the way for India to pip Argentina into the final,” said
New Zealand have already checked into the final on 12 points with a South Korea match in hand today, so they will not push themselves to the limit with 24 hours to the title battle.
For the record, it is the first final Azlan Shah Cup appearance for the Kiwis, while Argentina has won the title in 2008.
STANDINGS
P W D L F A PTS
N ZEALAND 5 4 0 1 18 7 12
ARGENTINA 5 3 0 2 14 16 9
INDIA 6 3 0 3 12 15 9
BRITAIN 5 2 2 1 11 10 8
S KOREA 5 1 2 2 10 8 5
MALAYSIA 5 1 2 2 10 13 5
PAKISTAN 5 1 0 4 8 14 3
JUNE 2: South Korea v New Zealand (4pm), Britain v Pakistan (6pm), Argentina v Malaysia (8pm).
NEW Zealand beat Malaysia 4-1 to qualify for the final of the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh yesterday.
It was again a case of porous defense for Malaysia, as they have let in a total of 13 goals in five matches.
Malaysia were a jaded side in the first half, as they gave the Kiwis too much space to roam and were punished early in the match.
Ryan Archibald made it look easy by tucking the ball between goalkeeper S. Kumar’s pads in the fifth minute, and it was just the start of Malaysia’s misery.
New Zealand, who beat Malaysia 2-1 in the final of the World Cup Qualifier, then hit their second when Shea Mcaleese’s 16th minute volley almost tore the netting.
And in the 34th minute, Nick Wilson made it 3-0 and the prospect of a comeback was lost when Malaysia’s only penalty corner was also wasted.
After the break, it was the same script, as New Zealand kept possession and attacked on counters, while Malaysia were falling and chugging along waiting for the clock to kill the match.
However, a lucky break in the 45th minute saw Hafifi Hafiz slam in the ball between the pads of Kiwi goalkeeper.
But that was as far as they went as Shay Neil scored the fourth goal in the 62nd minute to qualify for the final.
Meanwhile, India re-ignited their fire with a 2-1 win over Pakistan, while Britain played to a 1-1 draw with South Korea.
India and Pakistan were heading for a draw, but V. Sunil scored in the final minute for nine points after six matches.
Sandeep Singh gave India the lead off a powerful flick which sailed past goalkeeper Imran Shah. It was his second goal in the tournament.
But Pakistan never gave up and finally scored off a Sohail Abbas penalty corner in the 60th minute.
STANDINGS
P W D L F A PTS
N ZEALAND 5 4 0 1 18 7 12
ARGENTINA 5 3 0 2 14 16 9
INDIA 6 3 0 3 12 15 9
BRITAIN 5 2 2 1 11 10 8
S KOREA 5 1 2 2 10 8 5
MALAYSIA 5 1 2 2 10 13 5
PAKISTAN 5 1 0 4 8 14 3
RESULTS: Britain 1 South Korea 1, Pakistan 1 India 2, New Zealand 4 Malaysia 1.
JUNE 2: South Korea v New Zealand (4pm), Britain v Pakistan (6pm), Argentina v Malaysia (8pm).
The draw opens up race for final.
India beat Pakistan 2-1 with goals from Sandeep and Sunil.
