Top teams invited for Seventh SOJC...

JOHOR Hockey Association (JHA) have invited top junior sides for the Seventh Edition of the Sultan of Johor Cup to be held on Oct 22-29.
  A star studded field of Argentina, Great Britain, Germany, India and Australia have been contacted to play at the Taman Daya Stadium against the hosts.
  "We are extending invites to these teams as they had expressed interest in participating this year," said JHA Deputy President Datuk Manjit Majid Abdullah.
  "These are top junior teams and it will help boost the image of the tournament. We have also received interest from a few other countries and will keep our options open and invite them should any of these five decline."
  Among the countries on the reserve list are New Zealand, Japan, Pakistan and Egypt.
  Manjit said that they were also looking at other teams like South Africa, Spain or Belgium for the tournament.
  Should India accept the invite, they will be making a return after a years absence.
  Australia are the defending champions and Malaysia as well as Great Britain have emerged as champions before.

MHC: No news from FIH yet...

THE Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) called Premier Division managers for a meeting yesterday to prepare for 'all-weather' leading to the World League Round Two.
  After Canada withdrew for the Dhaka, Bangladesh, World League Round Two recently there is a possibility that Malaysia might move from their initial venue in Trinidad and Tobago to Bangladesh.
  But the MHC are still tight-lipped about any changes in venues.
  "No we have not received any news from the FIH (International Hockey Federation) on a change of venue. This meeting was called to request for national players in the Premier Division to attend training every Mondays.
 "The teams agreed, and there were no further issues," said MHC CEO K. Logan Raj.
  National men's coach Stephen van Huizen also said he does not know about any change in venue, and is just preparing for the World League.
  "I have no news about the change in venue for the tournament, and in fact even my players have asked me the same question but I could not answer their queries.
  "The only difference between both the venues is the travelling time of about 30 hours to Trinidad and Tobago while its about four hours to Dhaka.
  "Also, in Trinidad and Tobago, we are grouped with European and Caribbean sides while in Dhaka it will be basically Asian teams," said van Huizen.
  However, the hasty meeting might be to prepare a team early for Dhaka as the tournament dates would become closer if there is a change in venue.
  Malaysia are slated to play their WL in Trinidad and Tobago on March 25-April 2.
  But if they replace Canada, Malaysia will play in Dhaka on March 4-12.
  The Malaysia Hockey League Premier Division matches end on Feb 26, and the Dhaka tournament is just a week after that.
  In a news report, Bangladesh Hockey Federation secretary general Abdus Sadeque said: "It is very sad that Canada have withdrawn from the tournament on security grounds, which we learnt on Monday through the FIH (International Hockey Federation).” 
   In Dhaka Canada were in Group A with Fiji, Oman and Bangladesh, while in Group B are China, Egypt, Ghana and Sri Lanka.
  While in Trinidad and Tobago Malaysia are in Group A with Barbados, US and Chile. In Group B are Japan, Switzerland, Russia and the hosts.

Bye TnT, Dhaka here we come...

A street shot of Dhaka -- the venue for World League Round Two.

THE Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) are scrambling against time to accept an invitation to play their World League Round Two match in Dhaka, instead of the scheduled Trinidad and Tobago venue.
  This came about after Canada pulled out of the Dhaka WL on March 4-12 citing security concerns.
  Malaysia were supposed to play their WL in Trinidad and Tobago on March 25-April 2.
  Yesterday, Premier Division Malaysia Hockey League team managers received calls to attend a meeting on Monday evening to discuss this sudden move -- with an option to shorten the MHL which ends on Feb 26 -- just a week before Dhaka.
  In a news report, Bangladesh Hockey Federation secretary general Abdus Sadeque said: "It is very sad that Canada have withdrawn from the tournament on security grounds, which we learnt on Monday through the FIH (International Hockey Federation).” 
  “We are taking this matter to the FIH because we have already given our security plans to them which include security from airport to the hotel, from the hotel to the stadium and security inside the team hotel.
  "One of our vice presidents briefed the FIH on the detailed security plan,” Sadeque said.
  “The FIH report has mentioned that Bangladesh have efficiently organised the England cricket team's Tour. It would have been better had the 11th-ranked team in the world Canada would have come as well.”
  In Dhaka Canada were in Group A with Fiji, Oman and Bangladesh, while in Group B are China, Egypt, Ghana and Sri Lanka.
  While in Trinidad and Tobago Malaysia are in Group A with Barbados, US and Chile. In Group B are Japan, Switzerland, Russia and the hosts.
  Malaysian Hockey Confederation CEO K. Logan Raj said its still a wait-and-see situation.
  "We have yet to receive anything from the FIH on the matter, but it looks like if we have to play in Bangladesh there are many factors to considerate.
  "First, the dates are too close and we need to adjust many things. Secondly, looking at the teams in both venues, there is not much of a difference and in the end a decision will be made to make sure we qualify for the World League Semifinals," said Logan.
  While Logan was non-committed, it was understood that Malaysia will be playing in Dhaka instead of Trinidad and Tobago.
  For the record, in the last World League Round Two in Singapore, Malaysia thrashed Poland 8-0 in the final but still failed to advance to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics because they finished sixth in the World League Semifinals in Belgium.
  And Canada qualified for the Olympics by finishing fourth in the Argentina World League Semifinals.

Dharmaraj ... our work has just begun

 DHARMARAJ... charging up his players during the famous semi-finals win again Italy.

Pictures by Joe Pengkalan
THE Malaysian women's hockey team ended their World League Round Two campaign with honours, but the work has just begun for coach K. Dharmaraj.
  The former national men's senior and juniors' coach took over the women's job a year ago and turned a whipping side to silver medallists at the Tun Razak Stadium on Sunday.
  World No 15 Italy were beaten in their campaign, but they lost steam and collapsed 3-0 to world No 16 Ireland in the final.
  Dharmaraj used unconventional ways to train his charges by waking them up by 4.30am to train by 5am.
  After that they hit the gym for five days a week -- something that has never done with the women's side. He also took them on uphill runs, and they threw car tyres during training -- akin to a gladiator competition.
  When asked about his team's fantastic showing in the World League Round Two Dharmaraj said: "... the work has just begun for me and the players, as I aim to qualify for the World Cup (2018 in England)."
  England will host 16 teams, and not the usual 12, and so Malaysia have a good chance of qualifying based on double qualifications from the five continental tournaments.
  In the World League Semifinals, Malaysia will either play in South Africa (July 8-23) or Belgium (21 June-7 July) with both having six strong seeded teams.
  The six seeded teams in Belgium are reigning world champions Netherlands, hosts Belgium, Oceania champions Australia, Hockey World League Season Two runners up New Zealand, China and Asian champions South Korea.
  And in Johannesburg the teams who have qualified are, England (represented by many athletes who won the Rio 2016 Olympic gold medal for Great Britain), reigning Champions Trophy and World League champions Argentina, Olympic bronze medallists Germany, African champions South Africa, Pan American champions United States and Japan.
  Each of the World League Semifinals will add four more teams to complete a pool of 10 after the Round Two ends in other countries.
  "We will be playing against established sides in the WL Semifinals and so it does not make a difference if we are placed in Belgium or South Africa.
  "Both venues have teams with great achievements, but that does not bother me. With 16 teams playing in the next World Cup, I will plan for Malaysia to be among them," said Dharmaraj.
  Dharmaraj whipped up a Junior World Cup side which finished fourth in the 2013 Edition in New Delhi -- and he is well known to have the touch to turn things around.
  And the plan involves a round of thrashing in Europe.
  "My plan is to take the team to Europe and play at least 20 matches against higher ranked teams there. Ireland and Italy have agreed to play with us if we make the trip, and I also want to play against other higher ranked teams to make my players lose their fear.
  "I am willing to see my team thrashed in the process, as I believe that is the only way to become better," said Dharmaraj.
  Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) Technical Director Terry Walsh confirmed that the Europe trip is planned for the end of April.
  For the record, the Malaysian women's team qualified for the WL Semifinals for the first time and have never played in the World Cup before.
  But with Dharmaraj as the coach, his players can start dreaming about making their World Cup debut in England 2018 -- provided they are willing to sweat blood for the next six months during their coaches' unconventional training methods.

Back in action again...

Finally managed to get back my blog after it was blocked for a month for no clear reason... no porn no politics no gossip here.
  Only SPORTS news ....