Dharmaraj's charges meet China for bronze

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian women's hockey team will play China for bronze in the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) in Donghae, South Korea, Sunday.
  This is a repeat of the 2013 ACT in Kakamigahara, Japan, and back then Malaysia beat China 3-1 to finish third.
  However in Korea, Malaysia lost to China 3-1 in the pool match, but that is not going to stop coach K. Dharmaraj's women from dreaming big again.
  Malaysia are ranked 22nd in the world while China eighth, while in Asia its China number two and Malaysia number five.
  And in Asia, Malaysia are the only active hockey nation which did not qualify for the women's World Cup -- while China, India, South Korea and Japan will be playing in England on July 21-Aug 5.
  "All my players have shown strong commitment in the ACT and even though the rest of the teams are higher ranked than us in Asia as well as in the world, we still gave them a fright or two.
  "And in the battle for bronze, we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. We played China in the pool and know what t expect from them. It will be a tough game which can go either way," said Dharmaraj.
  He has been coaching the women's team for more than two years and his charges have shown tremendous improvement.
  In Donghae, Malaysia beat Japan 3-2 and lost narrowly to India (3-2) and South Korea (3-1).
  "The young players which I included for the ACT have shown potential, and I believe will be assets in the near future."
  Dharmaraj took a brave stand to select 18-year-olds Nur Maizatulhanim Syafi and Nor Asfarina Isahyifika for the ACT after both impressed him in the recent Asian Hockey 5s Youth Olympics Qualifier in Bangkok, Thailand.
  And they repaid his faith, by blending in well with the seniors in Donghae.
  South Korea and India will play for the gold.

Dharmaraj embraces plan to host World Cup

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia played the waiting game on rest day in the Asian Champions Trophy in Donghae, South Korea, Friday while coach K. Dharmaraj pondered about the future of his charges.
  The Malaysian women's hockey team has closed the gap with their Asian counterparts and are no longer punching bags for India, China, South Korea and Japan.
  Dharmaraj's charges, ranked 22nd in the world and fifth in Asia, gave a tough fight to all four teams in the ongoing ACT, and if China beats Japan  Saturday -- Malaysia will play for the bronze medal.
  India and South Korea have qualified for the finals.
  Malaysia started with 3-1 defeat to South Korea, lost to India 3-2, beat Japan 3-2 and lost to China 3-1.  
  "The margin of defeat is very close and I believe we have narrowed the gap with our Asian counterparts. Everybody here, India, China, Korea and Japan coaches feel we are the team to watch after being 'whipping boys' for more than 20 years," said Dharmaraj.
  And all the teams have brought their best players: "Every team here came with their World Cup squad except Japan who have three players in the Netherlands League and another five back home.
  "In 2016 ACT we also beat Japan who brought their full squad, and this indicated consistency."
  The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) Thursday announced that they are planning to bid for the 2022 women's and men's World Cups and Dharmaraj embraced the news with open arms.
  Infact, the coach who had rebuilt the women's squad from ashes inside two-and-a-half years even said that his charges could be groomed to finish 7th or 8th if Malaysia host it in 2022.
  "It's easier to move up in women's hockey than the men's and if we get to host the 2022 World Cup, it would be dream come true for our ladies (who have yet to play at that level).
  "That is the right booost for us to prepare for the next four years instead of going through the pressure of trying to qualify. 
  "With proper planning, we can finish 7th or 8th as hosts," said Dharmaraj.
  This prediction came from a coach who trained a bunch of no hopers, and took them to a silver medal finish at the Kuala Lumpur World League Round Two last year.

Fazilla now a Fire Superintendent

Fazilla, right.

KUALA LUMPUR: National women's midfielder Fazilla Sylvester Silin scored another goal when she graduated as a Fire Superintendent with the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia yesterday.
  The 30-year-old from Sarawak has played for Malaysia in three Commonwealth Games (2010, 2014 and 2018) and coach K. Dharmaraj only had praise for her.
  "She is one amazing las who has exceptional fighting spirit in whatever she makes up her mind to do. I am the least surprised, and very proud of her, for achieving this milestone in her life," said Dharmaraj after his charges lost narrowly 3-2 to India in the Women's Asian Champions Trophy in Donghue, South Korea, yesterday.
  Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHC) deputy president Datuk Dr S. Shamala said: "The Malaysian women’s hockey team has very special players and each with their own special ways! One of them is most definitely Fazilla Sylvester more fondly known as Zilla.
  "She has sacrificed a great deal the nation, and thanks to the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia who has been very supportive and instrumental in allowing Zilla to represent malaysia at the recent Commonwealth Games."

MHC keen to host both World Cups in 2022

From Left: Terry Walsh, Stephen van Huizen, Subahan Kamal, Shamala.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia are keen to host the 2022 men's and women's hockey World Cups.
  This was revealed by Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal Thursday.
  Subahan said the confidence to bid arose because the International Hockey Federation (FIH) approached Malaysia to host the final of the Hockey Series, which is a qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
  "I will meet members of the MHC Executive Board soon to get their approval to host the Hockey Series finals in Kuala Lumpur next year.
  "And I will also put forward to the EB the idea to host both the men's and women's World Cups which will be held in 2022.
  "I have spoken to Terry Walsh (Technical Director) on these matters, and if the EB approves, we will officially write to the FIH on our intention to host both the World Cups."
  Malaysia last hosted the men's World Cup in 2002 and finished eighth among 16 teams.
  "And if this plan becomes a reality, our women will experience playing in the World Cup for the first time.
  "I believe Malaysia will have no problems hosting both the World Cups, and I also believe our men's and women's teams will be ready to put up a good challenge by then," said Subahan.
  Meanwhile, national coach Stephen van Huizen yesterday released the names of 20 players who would head for Argentina to play in a series of friendlies on May 25-June 2.
  Van Huizen included No 1 goalkeeper S. Kuamar who has served his six months FIH ban for being tested positive with sibutramine during the Asia Cup in Dhaka last year.
  "Kumar has been training very hard since the ban was lifted, and that's one of the reasons I believe he should be given a chance to play in the Argentina friendlies," said van Huzien.

Malaysian women give India a fright

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian women's team gave India a run for their money before losing 3-2 in the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) in Donghae, South Korea, Thursday.
  Now, they will have to wait for the China-Japan match Saturday to see if they have a chance of playing in the third-fourth bracket.
  The ACT is played in a pool of five teams, and Malaysia has three points as they had beaten Japan 3-2.
  Japan are at the bottom of the pool with only one point.
  Yesterday, Gurjit Kaur (17th), Vandana Katariya (33rd) and  Lalremsiami (40th) scored for India, and Malaysia's super fight-back came from Nuraini Rashid (36th) and Hanis Nadiah Onn (48th) 
  For the record, Malaysia are ranked 22nd in the world while India are number 10th.
  "We went into the match knowing India's strength and had to rely on counter-attacks to trouble them. And I am proud to say that we did cut down their domination for long periods in the match.
  "Now, we have to wait for the China-Japan match (today) to see if we will be playing in the third-fourth or end fifth in this tournament.
  "And we have a good chance to play in the higher bracket, because it wil not be easy for Japan to beat China."