Shahril could turn king-maker...

MALAYSIA will be banking on penalty corner ace Shahril Saabah to get off on a flying start when they host Britain in the curtain raiser of the Sultan of Johor Cup today.
  The other world class teams in the SOJC are India, Australia, Argentina and Pakistan. All matches will be played at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru, and the entrance is free.
  Shahril made his mark while playing for Bandar Penawar Sports School in the Junior Hockey League, and is now fast becoming among the best penalty corner executioner in the country. 
  Malaysia played a friendly with Britain on Friday and lost 3-2: "We were trying out several tactical moves in the practice match and were really not at our best.
  "We are looking at a winning start and from my personal perspective, it’ll be nice to be on the scoring sheet against Britain, but more importantly its the three points that matter.”
  Shahril was a member of the 2013 Junior World Cup squad that finished fourth in New Delhi, and his experience will be invaluable in the SOJC.
   Malaysia, coached by Arul Selvaraj, will be hoping for a creditable performance ahead of the Junior Asia Cup that will be held in Kuantan next month. 
   Having had seven months of training together, the team, although short on international exposure will be counting on grit and determination to see them through to achieve their target of a podium finish.
  Last year it was a miserable fifth: "I'm looking for a positive attitude and consistency in matches from my players throughout the week.” said Arul who was also the coach of the team that finished fifth last year.
  “We will be trying out things that we have learned in training in order to gauge the ability of the players to perform at higher levels.”
  “I expect the players to give their best as this tournament will also serve as a selection process for the final squad of the Junior Asia Cup.”
  Britain’s manager Paul Gannon is looking forward to playing the hosts today.
  "It’s an exciting opportunity for us to play against the host team as they have home ground advantage.
  “But we won’t worry too much about Malaysia, we will focus on our own strengths and hopefully play well enough to win and kickstart a positive tournament run for,” said Gannon.
  Defending champions India beat Britain 2-1 in the final last year, with the winning goal coming in the final minute via Hermanpreet Singh. 
  They were also the champions in 2013 and will be looking to make a hat-trick of titles this year.
  “It will be nice to win (their third title) but we’re not going to put pressure on ourselves as the five other teams are also capable of winning the title this year,” said India coach Harendra Singh.
  India will start against Pakistan today.
  FIXTURES: Sunday -- Argentina v Australia (4.35pm), India v Pakistan (6.3pm), Malaysia v Britain (8.35pm).
  Oct 12: Australia v Pakistan (4.35pm), Britain v India (6.3pm), Malaysia v Argentina (8.35pm).
  Oct 13: REST DAY.
  Oct 14: Britain v Pakistan (4.35pm), Argentina v India (6.3pm), Malaysia v Australia (8.35pm).
  Oct 15: Pakistan v Argentina (4.35pm), Britain v Australia (6.3pm), Malaysia v India (8.35pm).
  Oct 16: REST DAY
  Oct 17: Argentina v Britain (4.35pm), Australia v India (6.3pm), Malaysia v Pakistan (8.35pm).
  Oct 18: Final and placing matches

Najib sets his mind on gold

NATIONAL Juniors skipper Najib Hassan is green behind the ears, but will be leading players who are much more experienced, in the Fifth Edition of the Sultan of Johor Cup.

  The SOJC starts on Sunday at the Taman Daya Stadium, and Najib will lead his mates into battle with two-time champions India, silver medallists Britain, Australia, Argentina and Pakistan.

  The 20-year-old is least bothered with the high standard of play he will be facing, and he has set his mind on lifting the SOJC trophy when the dust settles.

  Najib, who played for Tenaga Nasional in the Premier Division, said: "We have the ability to emerge as champions and this is what the team will strive to achieve."

  Malaysia finished fifth last year, but the skipper believes: "We are better prepared this year as my mates have been giving their best in training.

  "We hope to translate what we have learnt during training into a strong and consistent performance throughout the tournament."

  Coach Arul Selvaraj has three players who have played at the senior World Cup, Junior World Cup, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games but picked Najib for his leadership qualities.

  Striker Shahril Saabah, 21, is tht ace in the pack as he has played in the senior World Cup, Asian and Commonwealth Games.

  Midfielder Meor Azuan has seen action in the Commonwealth and Asian Games, while striker Haziq Samsul has played in the Junior World Cup and Commonwealth Games.

  Najib picked India and Australia as the teams to beat in Johor Baru.

   "Last year we lost to Britain (3-2) but will play to turn the tables on them in our opening match on Sunday" added Najib.

   "Britain of last season comprised of players that were almost 21 while for many of us it was our first international tournament.

   "So, we hope that hockey fans will fill the stadium and back the team throughout the tournament as we aim to give our best."

   The Perak-born said that while the Junior Asas Cup was their main target this year, a good finish at the SOJC will provide the perfect tonic to defend their Asian title and qualify for the World Cup in style.

   FIXTURES: Sunday -- Argentina v Australia (4.35pm), India v Pakistan (6.30pm), Malaysia v Britain (8.35pm).

  Oct 12: Australia v Pakistan (4.35pm), Britain v India (6.30pm), Malaysia v Argentina (8.35pm).

  Oct 13: REST DAY.

  Oct 14: Britain v Pakistan (4.35pm), Argentina v India (6.30pm), Malaysia v Australia (8.35pm).

  Oct 15: Pakistan v Argentina (4.35pm), Britain v Australia (6.30pm), Malaysia v India (8.35pm).

  Oct 16: REST DAY

  Oct 17: Argentina v Britain (4.35pm), Australia v India (6.30pm), Malaysia v Pakistan (8.35pm).

  Oct 18: Final and placing matches.

Final 18 for Sultan of Johor Cup

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.

Sleepless in Johor Baru

SEPT 28: The national juniors wore masks while in Johor Baru to familiarise themselves with the Taman Daya artificial pitch.

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.

SOJC: In them we trust...

Completed their training in Taman Daya

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.