14/03/1999
CONFIDENCE made all the difference at the National Hockey Stadium
yesterday when Malaysia scored two early goals against the Australian
Institute of Sport (AIS) side, which was enough to give them the win in
the rain-shortened match.
Except for M. Kaliswaran, K. Gobinathan and goalkeeper Roslan
Jamaluddin, there were no other changes to the lineup which went crashing
5-0 in the first friendly.
The match was called off 10 minutes into the second half because of
threatening conditions, but it was all Malaysia before that.
Coach Stephen van Huizen agreed that confidence and commitment won the
match.
"Everything went well because they stuck to the gameplan which was hard
tackling and quick passes. In the first 20 minutes, the Australians were
hardly in the match. Maybe acclimatisation was a problem for them today
(yesterday) but even so, the national side showed what they are capable of
with a little push in the right direction," said van Huizen.
Nor Azlan Bakar and Chua Boon Huat were sturdy in defence which was
strengthened by Commonwealth Games keeper Roslan.
Malaysia won their first penalty corner in the seventh minute and S.
Kuhan flicked home a sweet goal.
The Aussies were pinned in their own half after that and a string of
attacks by Kaliswaran, Gobinathan and Suhaimi Ibrahim won them the second
penalty corner in the 11th minute.
Kuhan initiated a setpiece which saw Suhaimi deflect in for the second
goal.
AIS: Mark Hickman, Zain Wright, Eddie O'Brien, Bevan George, Gavis
Davis, Travis Brooks, Craig Victory, Ben Taylor, Jamie Dwyer, Jeremy
Hiskins, Jason Duff, Ian Wishart, Michael McCann, Mark Hickman, Tim
Thompson, Robert Hammond.
MALAYSIA: Norazlan Rahim, Chua Boon Huat, Jiwa Mohan, S. Shankar, S.
Kuhan, Nor Azlan Bakar, Chairil Anwar Aziz, Madzli Ikmar, K. Logan Raj,
Suhaimi Ibrahim, K. Gobinathan, K. Keevan Raj, Indra Hadi Jubir, Nasihin
Nubli, Izwan Suhardi, Roslan Jamaluddin.
Malaysia-AIS friendlies - Tomorrow (8.0); March 17 (6.0); March 18
(6.0). - all matches at the National Hockey Stadium.
(END)
Sunday, March 4, 2007
And now for the men
13/03/1999
THE bid to host 2002 World Cup hockey championship is over and now comes the more difficult part - prepare the Malaysian team to win honours.
Not that the Malaysia Hockey Federation (MHF) and the National Sports
Council (NSC) have been sitting pretty all this while, only that a more
concerted effort must be made now if the nightmare of Utrecht is to be
erased.
Although a visiting consultant in Paul Lissek is fine, Malaysian hockey
now needs a permanent coach to plan and execute programmes to bring out the best in the current batch.
In the words of team manager R. Yogeswaran, "we need a brain" to whip up a good side.
"The current batch of players are young and will definitely make the
2002 squad if they have the right attitude towards training and personal
fitness. Now we need one man who has the power to call the shots."
Yogeswaran and Ho Koh Chye were the coaches who took the 1975 World Cup team to a fourth finishing on home soil. They now manage the national pool of 40 players while a group of coaches comprising Yahya Atan, Colin sta Maria, Stephen van Huizen and Wallace Tan train the players.
"The NSC and MHF must see the problem of a head coach as serious and
solve it as early as possible because we have a string of important
assignments ahead. The Junior World Cup Qualifier, the Olympic Qualifier and then the 2002 World Cup itself are not far off."
Then there is the problem of a team leader.
After Nor Saiful Zaini retired, the team have been without a capable
leader who can co-ordinate and execute game plans. S. Kuhan sometimes makes an effort but he has to be more serious and stake a claim.
"We also lack a powerful hitter who can strike fear in our opponents.
Someone like that is needed to convert half-chances into goals and only
Maninderjit Singh has shown promise."
The door is wide open for national call-ups as seen in the match against
the Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) team yesterday. S. Shankar made
his debut in the senior ranks and was praised for his never-say-die
attitude.
A host of other players also got a chance, never mind that it was only
for a few minutes.
"The coaches can only do so much. It is the commitment of the players
that matters most right now.
"If the coach is late for training because he had to attend a meeting,
the players must start training on their own."
Training facilities-wise, NSC and MHF have provided the best available.
Now it is up to the players to utilise them and bring glory to the nation.
Finishing 11th out of 12 in Utrecht will look like an achievement if we
fail at home.
(END)
THE bid to host 2002 World Cup hockey championship is over and now comes the more difficult part - prepare the Malaysian team to win honours.
Not that the Malaysia Hockey Federation (MHF) and the National Sports
Council (NSC) have been sitting pretty all this while, only that a more
concerted effort must be made now if the nightmare of Utrecht is to be
erased.
Although a visiting consultant in Paul Lissek is fine, Malaysian hockey
now needs a permanent coach to plan and execute programmes to bring out the best in the current batch.
In the words of team manager R. Yogeswaran, "we need a brain" to whip up a good side.
"The current batch of players are young and will definitely make the
2002 squad if they have the right attitude towards training and personal
fitness. Now we need one man who has the power to call the shots."
Yogeswaran and Ho Koh Chye were the coaches who took the 1975 World Cup team to a fourth finishing on home soil. They now manage the national pool of 40 players while a group of coaches comprising Yahya Atan, Colin sta Maria, Stephen van Huizen and Wallace Tan train the players.
"The NSC and MHF must see the problem of a head coach as serious and
solve it as early as possible because we have a string of important
assignments ahead. The Junior World Cup Qualifier, the Olympic Qualifier and then the 2002 World Cup itself are not far off."
Then there is the problem of a team leader.
After Nor Saiful Zaini retired, the team have been without a capable
leader who can co-ordinate and execute game plans. S. Kuhan sometimes makes an effort but he has to be more serious and stake a claim.
"We also lack a powerful hitter who can strike fear in our opponents.
Someone like that is needed to convert half-chances into goals and only
Maninderjit Singh has shown promise."
The door is wide open for national call-ups as seen in the match against
the Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) team yesterday. S. Shankar made
his debut in the senior ranks and was praised for his never-say-die
attitude.
A host of other players also got a chance, never mind that it was only
for a few minutes.
"The coaches can only do so much. It is the commitment of the players
that matters most right now.
"If the coach is late for training because he had to attend a meeting,
the players must start training on their own."
Training facilities-wise, NSC and MHF have provided the best available.
Now it is up to the players to utilise them and bring glory to the nation.
Finishing 11th out of 12 in Utrecht will look like an achievement if we
fail at home.
(END)
RM16mil for services in Brunei
12/03/1999
SUKOM Ninety Eight Bhd, organisers of last year's 16th Commonwealth Games, have submitted a RM16 million proposal to Brunei to help them hold the Sea Games in August.
Sports Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said in Kuala Lumpur the Sukom initiative was a private effort.
However, the Malaysian government will send a second team comprising
officials from the National Sports Council, Olympic Council of Malaysia
and Sports Ministry to Brunei in two weeks' time.
"Brunei have sought assistance in the form of judges, technical and
match officials from Malaysia," said Muhyiddin.
"They have also requested for help to train their athletes for the
Games. We will help train their volunteers and assist them on broadcasting facilities.
"Since time is against us, we will only commit on matters which we can
handle and not take on too much."
The first government fact-finding team led by NSC director general Datuk Mazlan Ahmad were in Brunei last month.
Three days ago, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Brunei have made a official request to Malaysia to help them organise their first-ever Games.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation have selected Bank Simpanan National to spar with the visiting Brunei national side on March 16 and 22.
On MHF's grouse over steep rentals at the National Hockey Stadium in
Bukit Jalil, Muhyiddin said they are misinformed.
"The Azlan Shah Cup in April will cost MHF about RM650,000 to host and they have given us a breakdown of the expenditure. We found they did not have pitch rentals on the list. Later, they asked us to waive the rental for the stadium.
"We said `no'. This will set a precedent. If they can set aside so much
of money to organise the tournament, what is RM20,000 in pitch rentals?"
(END)
SUKOM Ninety Eight Bhd, organisers of last year's 16th Commonwealth Games, have submitted a RM16 million proposal to Brunei to help them hold the Sea Games in August.
Sports Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said in Kuala Lumpur the Sukom initiative was a private effort.
However, the Malaysian government will send a second team comprising
officials from the National Sports Council, Olympic Council of Malaysia
and Sports Ministry to Brunei in two weeks' time.
"Brunei have sought assistance in the form of judges, technical and
match officials from Malaysia," said Muhyiddin.
"They have also requested for help to train their athletes for the
Games. We will help train their volunteers and assist them on broadcasting facilities.
"Since time is against us, we will only commit on matters which we can
handle and not take on too much."
The first government fact-finding team led by NSC director general Datuk Mazlan Ahmad were in Brunei last month.
Three days ago, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Brunei have made a official request to Malaysia to help them organise their first-ever Games.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation have selected Bank Simpanan National to spar with the visiting Brunei national side on March 16 and 22.
On MHF's grouse over steep rentals at the National Hockey Stadium in
Bukit Jalil, Muhyiddin said they are misinformed.
"The Azlan Shah Cup in April will cost MHF about RM650,000 to host and they have given us a breakdown of the expenditure. We found they did not have pitch rentals on the list. Later, they asked us to waive the rental for the stadium.
"We said `no'. This will set a precedent. If they can set aside so much
of money to organise the tournament, what is RM20,000 in pitch rentals?"
(END)
Saujana sign up Nachimuthu
12/03/1999
THE Saujana Golf and Country Club yesterday inked a deal with R.
Nachimuthu as their third local touring professional.
Director of Saujana GCC Abu Bakar Nor welcomed Nachimuthu into the fold
with a reminder: "Stay among the top five on the MPGA Order of Merit and
this partnership will go a long way."
In January, Saujana signed Rashid Ismail, ranked seventh on the MPGA
Order Of Merit last year and Shaifubari Muda, ranked ninth, to a tune of
RM40,000 a year.
"Saujana are not their managers and we do not take a cut off their
winnings, all we want is to promote the sport in Malaysia by adopting pros
who have shown consistency over the years. If other sponsors want to come
in, they are welcome," said Abu Bakar.
Nachimuthu will also receive RM40,000 a year, enough to compete in all
the local tournaments. He has also been given the privilege of using
Saujana's greens as often as he wants.
Nachimuthu turned pro in January.
The former caddie from Kuala Kubu Baru GCC has been one of Malaysia's
best amateurs in recent years.
His best achievements were winning the Malaysian Amateur Open in 1997
and the Panasonic Open in 1996 and 1997.
He said that turning pro has not changed his outlook on the game at all.
"I still feel the same, maybe it is because I have been playing
alongside the same players for so long that I do not fear them. I hope to
play in international tournaments next year to get more exposure and
expand my style," said Nachimuthu.
On Lee Westwood, Abu Bakar said they have yet to renew their partnership
which expires at the end of the month.
"Both parties are happy with the relationship and want it to continue.
Only minor details need to be settled now that he has made a name in the
international arena. We would be glad to continue our partnership."
* SAUJANA touring professional R. Nachimuthu fired another sub-par round
to extend his lead to nine strokes at the Malaysia PGA Qualifying School
at Saujana GCC yesterday.
Playing on the Crocodile Course, Nachimuthu's two-under 70 took his two-
round total to 137.
He returned 35s on both nines with birdies on the sixth, ninth, 13th and
15th and his bogeys were on the first and 11th.
Leading 2nd rd scores: 137 R. Nachimuthu 67-70; 146 Samsuddin Dingkil
73-73; 147 Zalizan Mad Har 75-72, Zamri Shariff 74-73; 148 Lee Kwang Ju (S
Kor) 75-73, Tan Boon Seng 73-75, A. Durairaj 73-75; 149 K. Noriyama (Jpn)
76-73; 150 N. Sivakumar 76-74, Ariff Sarji 74-76; 151 T. Okura (Jpn) 76-
75; 152 Colin Field (Aus) 80-72, Yoshihiko Yamagata (Jpn) 80-72, K. Iida
(Jpn) 75-77.
(END)
THE Saujana Golf and Country Club yesterday inked a deal with R.
Nachimuthu as their third local touring professional.
Director of Saujana GCC Abu Bakar Nor welcomed Nachimuthu into the fold
with a reminder: "Stay among the top five on the MPGA Order of Merit and
this partnership will go a long way."
In January, Saujana signed Rashid Ismail, ranked seventh on the MPGA
Order Of Merit last year and Shaifubari Muda, ranked ninth, to a tune of
RM40,000 a year.
"Saujana are not their managers and we do not take a cut off their
winnings, all we want is to promote the sport in Malaysia by adopting pros
who have shown consistency over the years. If other sponsors want to come
in, they are welcome," said Abu Bakar.
Nachimuthu will also receive RM40,000 a year, enough to compete in all
the local tournaments. He has also been given the privilege of using
Saujana's greens as often as he wants.
Nachimuthu turned pro in January.
The former caddie from Kuala Kubu Baru GCC has been one of Malaysia's
best amateurs in recent years.
His best achievements were winning the Malaysian Amateur Open in 1997
and the Panasonic Open in 1996 and 1997.
He said that turning pro has not changed his outlook on the game at all.
"I still feel the same, maybe it is because I have been playing
alongside the same players for so long that I do not fear them. I hope to
play in international tournaments next year to get more exposure and
expand my style," said Nachimuthu.
On Lee Westwood, Abu Bakar said they have yet to renew their partnership
which expires at the end of the month.
"Both parties are happy with the relationship and want it to continue.
Only minor details need to be settled now that he has made a name in the
international arena. We would be glad to continue our partnership."
* SAUJANA touring professional R. Nachimuthu fired another sub-par round
to extend his lead to nine strokes at the Malaysia PGA Qualifying School
at Saujana GCC yesterday.
Playing on the Crocodile Course, Nachimuthu's two-under 70 took his two-
round total to 137.
He returned 35s on both nines with birdies on the sixth, ninth, 13th and
15th and his bogeys were on the first and 11th.
Leading 2nd rd scores: 137 R. Nachimuthu 67-70; 146 Samsuddin Dingkil
73-73; 147 Zalizan Mad Har 75-72, Zamri Shariff 74-73; 148 Lee Kwang Ju (S
Kor) 75-73, Tan Boon Seng 73-75, A. Durairaj 73-75; 149 K. Noriyama (Jpn)
76-73; 150 N. Sivakumar 76-74, Ariff Sarji 74-76; 151 T. Okura (Jpn) 76-
75; 152 Colin Field (Aus) 80-72, Yoshihiko Yamagata (Jpn) 80-72, K. Iida
(Jpn) 75-77.
(END)
AIS will help shape up Yoges' boys
12/03/1999
THE national hockey team are still at a transitional stage and the match
against the Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) team today at the
National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil will reveal many faults.
But team manager R. Yogeswaran sees it as a blessing in disguise.
"We will try out new combinations and a few Project 2001 players in the
five friendlies against the AIS team. The first three matches will be
uphill but there should be a shape in the final two friendlies," said
Yogeswaran.
Yesterday, S. Kuhan was seen training penalty corner variations with
junior Norazlan Rahim. Kuhan wore the skipper's armband during the recent Five-Nation in Cairo and is expected to play a major role in getting the goals.
"We have tried out many penalty corner variations which will be put to
test against the AIS team. Norazlan is slowly gaining momentum with his
direct hits and will be the one to watch during the friendlies."
Old hands Mirnawan Nawawi and Maninderjit Singh have not been excluded from the friendlies although their fitness level is still not known. Right now they are in the midst of sitting for their university examinations.
"Mirnawan will be available tomorrow (today) while Maninderjit will
finish his examinations on March 17. So both of them will be available for
at least one match but we will not push them if they are not physically
ready.
"They have been keeping fit but the long hours buring the midnight oil
might affect their play.
We do not want to lose them to injuries by pushing them for the
friendlies," said Yogeswaran.
Coach Colin sta Maria will only know his team after a meeting in the
morning but since the choice of players is limited, he will try out a few
Project 2001 players.
K. Keevan Raj, K. Logan Raj, Shuhaimi Ibrahim, Chua Boon Huat, Madzli Ikmar, M. Jiwa and Syarim Uda Karim are some of the juniors who have been wearing two hats, travelling between the senior and Project 2001 squads and sta Maria will definitely use them to strengthen his senior squad against the AIS.
Malaysia-AIS matches series - Today squad (4.0); Tomorrow (5pm); March 15 (8.0); March 17 (6.0); March 18 (6.0). - all matches at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
(END)
THE national hockey team are still at a transitional stage and the match
against the Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) team today at the
National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil will reveal many faults.
But team manager R. Yogeswaran sees it as a blessing in disguise.
"We will try out new combinations and a few Project 2001 players in the
five friendlies against the AIS team. The first three matches will be
uphill but there should be a shape in the final two friendlies," said
Yogeswaran.
Yesterday, S. Kuhan was seen training penalty corner variations with
junior Norazlan Rahim. Kuhan wore the skipper's armband during the recent Five-Nation in Cairo and is expected to play a major role in getting the goals.
"We have tried out many penalty corner variations which will be put to
test against the AIS team. Norazlan is slowly gaining momentum with his
direct hits and will be the one to watch during the friendlies."
Old hands Mirnawan Nawawi and Maninderjit Singh have not been excluded from the friendlies although their fitness level is still not known. Right now they are in the midst of sitting for their university examinations.
"Mirnawan will be available tomorrow (today) while Maninderjit will
finish his examinations on March 17. So both of them will be available for
at least one match but we will not push them if they are not physically
ready.
"They have been keeping fit but the long hours buring the midnight oil
might affect their play.
We do not want to lose them to injuries by pushing them for the
friendlies," said Yogeswaran.
Coach Colin sta Maria will only know his team after a meeting in the
morning but since the choice of players is limited, he will try out a few
Project 2001 players.
K. Keevan Raj, K. Logan Raj, Shuhaimi Ibrahim, Chua Boon Huat, Madzli Ikmar, M. Jiwa and Syarim Uda Karim are some of the juniors who have been wearing two hats, travelling between the senior and Project 2001 squads and sta Maria will definitely use them to strengthen his senior squad against the AIS.
Malaysia-AIS matches series - Today squad (4.0); Tomorrow (5pm); March 15 (8.0); March 17 (6.0); March 18 (6.0). - all matches at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
(END)
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