Malaysia

The national hockey team will not have the services of two key defenders for the four friendly matches with Belgium at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil from Jan 22-26.


Defenders S. Kuhan and Nor Azlan Bakar (pic) have been invited by India to play in their Super League tournament in Hyderabad from Jan 8-Feb 15.

Said national team manager Zulkifli Abbas yesterday: “The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) with the help of Spanish coach Maurice Hendricks are organising a world- class level tournament in Hyderabad to promote hockey and attract sponsors.

“India have invited a few top European and Asian players to feature in the Super League.

“From Malaysia they have invited Kuhan and Nor Azlan. But we are not sure whether our players will be playing for the same club or different clubs in Hyderabad.”

India have also invited 10 players from Pakistan, including world renowned penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas.

Sohail was inducted into hockey’s Hall of Fame last year after he set a new world record for scoring the most goals.

The 27-year-old scored his 268th goal in Pakistan’s 2-1 win over India in Amritsar last October, beating legendary Dutch striker Paul Litjens’ 267 goals in 177 matches.

Zulkifli said Kuhan was also invited to play in the Bangladesh League, which is now in the semi-finals stage.

Zulkifli said that Kuhan would be involved in three matches in Dhaka.

“He left for Dhaka on Saturday and will head for Hyderabad after that.

“As for Nor Azlan, he will leave for India this week. We are honoured that two of our key players are invited to play in the Super League.

“The absence of these two players will not affect the national team’s performance against Belgium in the friendlies.

“We will take in the six national junior players who will be dropped by coach Sarjit (Singh) from their playing tour to Australia on Jan 12,” said Zulkifli.

Sarjit have 24 players in his national junior team and he is expected to take only 18 for the playing tour.

The four friendly matches against Belgium are scheduled to be held on Jan 22, 23, 25 and 26 in Bukit Jalil.

It will be Wallace Tan’s first assignment as coach of the national team. Wallace was hired as the national coach last November to replace German Paul Lissek.

Wallace’s main priority is to help Malaysia qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

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