NATIONAL Juniors coach Arul Selvaraj left out two notable players when he named the final 18 for the Sultan of Johor Cup on Oct 11-18 at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru.
Hamstring injuries floored Sufi Ismat and Rafidzul Ezry, and Arul is keeping his fingers crossed that both will recover in time for the Junior Asia Cup in Kuantan in Nov 14-22.
"It was a tough decision to leave them out but it's best to let them recover for the Junior Asia Cup next month (which is a Junior World Cup qualifier)," said Arul.
"They will remain in the training squad and undergo rehabilitation with NSI (National Sports Institute) and will not travel to Johor.
"I will add another two players to the training squad together with the duo and we will give all 22 players another chance to try for the Junior Asia Cup after the SOJC," said Arul.
The team will depart for Johor Baru Friday morning and play Britain in a friendly at 5pm.
Najib Abu Hassan, 20 and played for Tenaga Nasional in the Malaysia Hockey League Premier Division, will skipper the squad.
The youngest player, the only 18-year-old, is Khaliq Hamirin from Sabah. He played for Universiti Kuala Lumpur in the MHL Premier Division.
Malaysia, who finished fifth in the last edition, will be up against two-time champions India, Australia, Britain, Argentina and Pakistan in the Fifth Edition of the SOJC.
NATIONAL Juniors: Ridzwan Azmi (Gk), Adi Fazri Rahim (Gk), Najib Abu Hassan (capt), Nik Aiman, Ashran Hamsani, Nor Azrul Rahman, Meor Azuan, Haziq Samsul, Firdaus Omar, Khaliq Hamirin, Norsyafiq Sumantri, Amirol Aideed, Shahril Saabah, Zulpidaus Mizun, Syed Syafiq, Azwar Rahman, Aminuddin Zain, Najmi Farizal.
Coach: Arul Selvaraj; Asst Coaches: Jivan Mohan and Amin Rahim; Manager: Mirnawan Nawawi.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Sleepless in Johor Baru
THE Johor HA are keping thir fingers crossed, hoping the haze will not be around when the Fifth Edition of the Sultan of Johor Cup starts on Sunday.
This is the second time haze has caused sleepless nights for JHA officials, as they faced a similar situation when hosting the World League Semifinal in 2013.
But back then, the haze cleared in time and Malaysia went on to book a place in the 2014 World Cup.
SOJC will be held on Oct 11-18 at the Taman Daya Stadium and organising secretary Manjit Majid Abdullah said they will be liaising with the various agencies before making any decisions.
"We are aware of the haze issue and hope it will clear soon. The health of players, officials and fans is our utmost priority," said Manjit who is also the Malaysian Hockey Confederation vice president.
"We are closely monitoring the situation, as teams will start arriving from Tuesday and we are keeping our fingers crossed that wind and rain will help clear the air."
Manjit added that they are also looking at the possibility of playing matches late as it is normally clearer in the evenings.
"Rest assured we have the best interest of all involved before making a decision," he added.
There are concerns that the tournament may be postponed due to the worsening haze condition affecting the nation as four Malaysia Cup matches were called off on Saturday as the Air Pollution Index reached unhealthy levels.
A marathon, and the women's hockey final was also victim to haze on Saturday.
Six teams will compete in the SOJC with defending champions India leading the stellar cast which includes debutants Argentina, last years losing finalists Britain, Australia, Pakistan and Malaysia.
Saturday, October 3, 2015
SOJC: In them we trust...
THE national juniors have one week to sharpen themselves up before they do battle in the Fifth Edition of the Sultan of Johor Cup at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru.
The only Under-21 Invitational sanctioned by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) will see Malaysia go up against back-to-back champions India, Pakistan, Australia, Argentina and Britain on October 11-18.
The juniors, who just returned to Kuala Lumpur from a training stint at Taman Daya, will play friendlies with the national senior squad on Oct 6 and 7, and will also host Britian to a warm up match on the Oct 9, before the final squad is named.
Juniors coach Arul Selvaraj will be banking on Shahril Saabah, Haziq Syamsul and Meor Azuan Hassan to deliver the goods as the trio have enough experience to lead the team.
Shahril has played in the World Cup, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games with the senior side even though he is only 21.
Haziq has seen action in the Commonwealth Games and 2013 Junior World Cup, while Meor has played in the Asian and Commonwealth Games.
“I never rely on individual players, but their combined experience is vital to stabilise the team,” concluded Arul.
And with the Junior Asia Cup slated on Nov 14-22 in Kuantan, Malaysia, India and Pakistan will be looking to get into gear as the tournament will offer four tickets to the Junior World Cup.
India have already booked themselves a spot in the Junior World Cup as the host nation and all Malaysia need to do in Kuantan is to qualify for the semi-finals to cement their spot in the world cup.
With that in mind, head Arul will be keeping his cards close to his chest during the SOJC, as rivals India and Pakistan will certainly be on the lookout for their strength and weakness.
“Unfortunately this is the only tournament I have to test the boys and I am well aware that India and Pakistan will be keeping a close eye on us, with that in mind I will not reveal much during the tournament but will ensure the boys give their best,” said Arul
Malaysia finished a disappointing fifth in the previous edition of the SOJC but are confident to walk away with a better result this time around.
“I am prepared to see some heavy legs; the boys have been working extremely hard in training and I think they will see good results in return,”
“We will take one game at a time. I am taking each game tactically, as I have plans on trying a few different tactics and we will build the team from there.
“My biggest concern is injuries. With the Asia Cup just around the corner I have to keep my fingers crossed and hope none of my players gets injured,” added Arul.
Friday, October 2, 2015
MHC start steep Olympic and World Cup climb...
THE MALAYSIAN Hockey Confederation (MHC) selected 35 trainees for the senior squad yesterday, and it was based on merit and not sentiment.
Three former stalwarts were dropped from the list, but Technical Director Terry Walsh reminded everybody that: "The door swings both ways."
Veteran goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin, striker Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin and midfielder Azlan Misron were left out, as MHC start preparing to get back into the Olympic and World Cup.
Azlan is the highest capped Malaysian player with 349 internationals, while Roslan retired with 199 and Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin with 206.
Coach Stephen van Huizen and assistant Lim Chiow Chuan selected a team with an average age of 24, with the oldest being goalkeeper S. Kumar who is 36.
Baljit Singh will no longer be the sole Punjabi representative, as Harmeet Singh, Harmesh Singh and Harvinder Singh were also included in the training squad.
Harmeet, 23, and Harmesh, 22, played for Sapura in the Premier Division of the Malaysia Hockey League, while Harvinder turned out for Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club.
"The selection was done with the Olympics and World Cup in mind, and so, we had to leave behind some players and try out others. We have six months to the Azlan Shah Cup, and so, emphasis would be on fitness and technical aspect of the game," said van Huizen.
Also selected was Joel Samuel, van Huizen's son, who last turned out for the country in the 2013 Junior World Cup. He played for Sapura in the MHL.
Walsh, tasked to turned around Malaysia's hockey misfortunes said: "Those who have been selected and those who were dropped must always understand that the door swings both ways. Don't take anything for granted, and comeback is also a possibility."
Three 21-year-olds who will play in the Sultan of Johor Cup and then the Junior Asia Cup were also named as senior trainees.
Meor Azuan, Shahril Saabah and Haziq Shamsul will be coach Arul Selvaraj's stalwarts when Malaysia play in both the junior tournaments.
"Training will start on Monday with 21 players, as some are away with their clubs overseas, while others have some commitments to settle before answering the call-up," said van Huizen.
GOALKEEPERS: S. Kumar (age 36), Hairi Abdul Rahman (25), Hafizuddin Othman (23), Hazrul Faiz (22).
DEFENDERS: Razie Rahim (28), Noor Faeez Ibrahim (24), Suhkri Mutalib (29), Azlam Hanafiah (22), Izad Hakimi (23), Harmesh Singh (22), Harmeet Singh (23), Shahrun Nabil (30), Shazril Irwan (22), Baljit Singh (29).
MIDFIELDERS: Nabil Fiqri (28), Azri Hassan (23), Harvinder Singh (26), Joel Samuel van Huizen (23), Faiz Helmi (23), Marhan Jalil (25), Fitri Shaari (22), Ramadan Rosli (24), Norhizzat Sumantri (24), Meor Azuan (21).
FORWARDS: Rashid Baharom (23), Syamin Yusof (23), Dedi Ariyadi (24), Hafiz Zainol (22), Faridzul Afiq (23), Dangerous Lee (23), Faizal Shaari (24), Firhan Ashari (22), Shahril Saabah (21), Haziq Samsul (21), Izwan Firdaus (26).
FOUR LIONS: Baljit, Harmeet, Harmesh, Harvinder ...
THE MALAYSIAN Hockey Confederation (MHC) training squad, after decades, saw four Punjabi's called up at once. S. Kumar is eldest at 36, while three juniors Meor Azuan, Shahril Saabah and Haziq Samsul will first play in the Sultan of Johor Cup then the Junior Asia Cup before joining the seniors.
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