KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16 (Bernama) -- The national men’s hockey team has been given a clear mandate to qualify for the World Cup finals, with no other target set for the World Cup Qualifiers in Ismailia, Egypt, from March 1 to 8.
National men’s hockey head coach Sarjit Singh said the team must reach the final of the tournament to secure automatic qualification for the World Cup.
“We should be in the final because we have the players and they have been working hard. Reaching the final of the qualifiers will ensure our place in the World Cup.
“When you play for third and fourth place, it becomes another pressure game. We are also at a disadvantage as matches on the other side, including the other qualifier in Chile, will be played on March 8,” he told a press conference here today.
On the squad’s development and preparations, Sarjit said the team has shown steady improvement, particularly in terms of fitness.
However, he said progress is still needed, especially in defence and finishing.
“We need to improve our defence. Our defence has become tighter and we have improved a lot over the past two years.
“We also need to take our chances. When we get opportunities, we must learn how to kill the game as early as possible by scoring goals,” he said.
Meanwhile, national men’s team manager Datuk Ahmad Najmi Abdul Razak said the Speedy Tigers are expected to face a tough challenge as the World Cup qualifiers will take place during the fasting month.
However, he expressed confidence that the national players, most of whom are Muslims, will be able to perform at their best despite fasting to qualify for the World Cup.
“We have already discussed this matter and we acknowledge that it is not easy to compete while fasting.
“That is why we have implemented various programmes for the players to ensure they remain hydrated and energised despite playing during the fasting month,” he said.
In the World Cup qualifiers, Malaysia have been drawn into Group B alongside Pakistan, China and Austria.
The national squad will open their campaign against Austria on March 1, followed by Pakistan the next day, before concluding the group stage against China on March 4.
Under the competition format, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
-- BERNAMA
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