JUNIOR WORLD CUP: YOUNG TIGERS CAUTIOUS OF EUROPEAN THREAT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- The national junior hockey squad are determined to be more cautious and better prepared to face the tough challenge posed by European teams at the 2025 Junior Hockey World Cup in Tamil Nadu, India, later this month.

National junior hockey team head coach Nor Saiful Zaini Nasiruddin said European sides — the Netherlands, England and Austria — who are drawn with Malaysia in Group E, pose an early threat based on their improving performances in several international tournaments.

“Their playing style and capabilities are certainly different. We are focusing more on the Netherlands, but Austria are also a very good team and seem ready to compete at the next level.

“As for England, we have just played against them and know they are strong tactically. Our skills are good, but they use their strengths effectively. That’s why during the Sultan of Johor Cup (SOJC) earlier, the match was intense — this is what I mean by the tactical edge of the European teams that we must be wary of,” he said at a press conference to announce the national squad for the World Cup here today.

He said video analysis of matches was being actively conducted to strengthen gameplay aspects against these teams while reminding the Young Tigers to minimise mistakes on the pitch.

The national junior squad are scheduled to leave for India for two warm-up matches against Ireland (Nov 24) and Namibia (Nov 25) as their final preparation before the tournament proper, which will take place from Nov 28 to Dec 10.

-- BERNAMA