Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan Oct 20-30

KUANTAN is set to host the Fourth Edition of the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) on Oct 20-30 after negotiations resolved the hefty sanction fee issue.

  The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) had asked for a US40,000 (RM156,000) sanction fee to host the tournament, but after the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) refused to meet their demand -- the AHF met them half-way.

  "The AHF had asked for US40,000 sanction fee to host the ACT, but the MHC felt it was too steep and they were willing to let go of the host job, but negotiations managed to half the sanction fee to US20,000 (RM78,000) and Kuantan will host it in October," said a hockey official who wanted to remain anonymous.

  It looks like October is going to be a hectic month for hockey as right after the ACT the Sultan Of JOhor Cup will be held on Oct 31-Nov 6 in Johor Baru.

  And right smack in the middle of both tournaments is Deevapali on Oct 29.

  The First Edition was held in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, in 2011 followed by Doha, Qatar, in 2012 and Kakamigahara, Japan, in 2013.

  Malaysia finished third in all three ACT's, which does not offer any ranking points but is just a tournament for the top-six Asian Games teams to spar.

  The top-six in the 2014 Incheon, South Korea Games in finishing order are India, Pakistan, South Korea, Malaysia, China and Japan.

  "But by halving the sanction fee, the tournament will lose video referral and also full live telecast of matches," said the official.

  The president of the AHF is Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who was a former MHC president, and is also an International Hockey Federation elected Executive Board member.

A shocker for keepers coach Nada...

GOALKEEPERS coach M. Nadarajan was taken aback when two Under-16 goalkeepers came under his wings for the May 13-16 Mannheim Four-Nation in Germany.
  The duo were selected after the National Under-16 by scouts Tai Beng Hai, S. Vellapan and Amin Rahim -- and supposedly the cream of the crop.
  "They were the best performers in the National Under-16, but sadly, they lacked basics and did not even know simple goalkeeping drills. It is not their fault, as I am the first goalkeepers coach they ever had," said Nadarajan.
  Surprisingly, Hamiz Ahir from Pahang and Helmi Fazil from Selangor, are both from sports schools.
  "I was taken aback, when they told me that I am their first goalkeepers coach as before this they were on their own. Thats why they did not even know the basic drills which must be done regularly to keep keepers on their toes.
  "Both of them reported early because they are in the Klang Valley, while the rest of the outfield players will report for training on Tuesday," said Nadarajan.
  In the Four-Nation, Malaysia will be up against Germany, Netherlands and Belgium.
  The team will be coached by Nor Saiful Zaini and assisted by  Mohamed Suffian.
  "There is a lot to be done with this two goalkeepers, and hopefully they perform against the best teams in Europe," said Nadarajan, a former national keeper who is now into coaching.

Razak Cup: Selection for Japan Tour...

THE Senior hockey players can't take this year's Razak Cup lightly, as coach Stephen van Huizen will use it to select his team for the Japan Tour on June 8-15.
  And those who played in the recent Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, where Malaysia finished fourth, can't take their place for granted.
  Van Huizen will also have to scout for two replacements as 
he is set to miss to players form the Azlan Shah Cup -- skipper Razie Rahim and midfielder Nabil Fiqri -- who will be reporting for a nine-month Police training from May 8.
  "The national players are on leave now and will resume training on May 3 and after 10 days, they will be released to play for their states in the Razak Cup (May 21-29).
  "I will select players for the Japan Tour, of six matches including two Tests, based on performance in the Razak Cup. Those who played in the Azlan Shah Cup must also give their best, as there is no 'reserved' spot for anybody," said Van Huizen.
  Malaysia had a good chance of grabbing the bronze medal, but after taking a 2-0 lead against New Zealand they crumbled to a 3-3 draw and in the shoot-out lost 5-4.
  "We are still at phase one of our training and preparing for the World League Round Two, so I need to keep all the players on their toes.
  "We will play six matches in Japan, and two will be Test matches so I will only take those who give their best in the Razak Cup," said van Huizen.
  The only international tournament for the senior men this year is the Asian Champions Trophy which Malaysia might host in October, as negotiations are still ongoing with the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) on sanction fees.
  The women will also head for Japan on May 1 for a 10-day Tour against the Japan juniors to prepare for the World League Round Two which Malaysia will host in January.

Dharma's women on a mission...

THE Malaysian women's team will head for Japan on May 1, to begin a journey which coach K. Dharmaraj hopes will end at the 2018 England World Cup.

  For the record, Malaysian women have yet to play in the World Cup, and have also yet to cross Round Two of the World League -- history which Dharmaraj plans to re-write.

  "We will be heading for Japan for a 10-day Tour to play against their juniors. This is among the plans to get the women ready for the World League Round Two, which Malaysia will host in January.

  "We have yet to advance into the WL Semi-finals, and that is what I aim to achieve with these players," said Dharmaraj.

  The women are enjoying a second life under Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal, as they have played in a Four-Nation in Hong Kong and became champions by beating Taiwan, Kazakhstan and the hosts,

  They then went on a Tour of China, where they played five quality matches against the China juniors.

  However, for the Japan Tour of five matches against their juniors, Dharmaraj will not have senior goalkeeper Farah Ayuni Yahya and outfield player Noor Hasliza Ali -- as both of them will be attending a nine-month training stint to become Policewomen.

  "Farah has been our top goalkeeper for at least seven years and in her absence I wil be fielding two juniors. Even though this might pose problems at the Japan Tour, but in the long run, it will benefit the country," said Dharmaraj.

  Both the senior players, however, will be available to play in the World League Round Two in January.

  In the recent WL Round One held in Singapore, Thailand became champions, Kazakhstan were second and the hosts third and all three countries will play in the WL Round Two in Kuala Lumpur.

  "Four teams (including Malaysia) have confirmed for the KL World League, and I believe Ireland and Italy will be among the other four. We need to play in the final of Round Two, and qualify for the World League Semi-finals to break our duck.

  "After that, I believe we have a chance to play in the 2018 England World Cup, by playing our cards right in the quarter-finals," said Dharmaraj who has coached the Malaysian men and boys at the World Cup level.

  

SOJC: Motley Crew from Malaysia...

THE Sultan of Johor Cup (SOJC) holds little importance for Malaysia this year, but the other five teams will use it to prepare for the Junior World Cup in New Delhi.

  Malaysia failed to qualify for the Junior World Cup, when they finished fifth in the Kuantan Junior Asia Cup.

  The other five SOJC teams -- England, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Japan -- have all qualified for the Junior World Cup and will be at their best in Johor Baru on Oct 31-Nov 6.

  Japan were invited after two-time champions India withdrew, after confirming their entry earlier.

  The SOJC team will be handled by development coaches Wallace Tan and Amin Rahim.

  "After we failed to qualify for the Junior World Cup, the team was disbanded and we might have some difficulties forming a formidable side," said Amin.

  This is because there are only 15 players in training under the development coaches, and so, the Razak Cup will be a selection ground for the SOJC.

  "My advise to those who played in the Junior Asia Cup, as well as those who aspire to play in the Under-21 SOJC, is to keep themselves fit and give their best in the Razak Cup.

  "The plan right now is to select players from this tournament, and maybe, train for two months before the SOJC," said Amin.

  The Razak Cup will be held on may 21-29 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.