Field Hockey -

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Kuala Lumpur make return after a two-year absence

KUALA LUMPUR: Former champions Kuala Lumpur will make a return to the Razak Cup hockey tournament after a two-year lapse.

The tournament will be held in Kuantan from Oct 26-Nov 4.

KL, the 16-time champions, will feature in Division Two. They skipped the tournament for the last two years following the Malaysia Hockey Federation抯 decision to change the eligibility rules to allow players to play for their home states.

  

Seasoned campaigner: Maninderjit Singh is one of the former internationals in the KL team.

揥e have decided to make a comeback for the good of hockey,

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Five out but Malaysia hopeful of semis spot
By AFTAR SINGH

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will not have the services of five key players for the Singapore Under-21 international hockey challenge starting on Wednesday.  

But Malaysia, represented by the national Under-19 squad, are optimistic of qualifying for the semi-finals.

Malaysia have been drawn in Group A with Australia and Singapore while Group B comprises India, Pakistan and Hong Kong.

Five key players

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'Boss' luah rasa bimbang
Oleh Bazly Azmi

KEMEROSOTAN ranking skuad hoki negara sejak berakhirnya era Mirnawan Nawawi dan 憆akan-rakan

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U-turn on plan to send juniors to Korat

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia have decided against sending the national juniors to challenge for men's hockey honours in the Korat SEA Games scheduled for Dec 6-15.

They will still have an experienced team for the job even though the competition clashes with the Champions Trophy, which will be hosted by Malaysia from Nov 29-Dec 9.

Coach Sarjit Singh said yesterday that they had 30 players in the national camp and the 12 who failed to make the cut for the Champions Trophy will form the core of the SEA Games team.

揟he 12 are experienced players who have been with the training squad for the last five months. Four more players from the Champions Trophy side will leave for Korat on Dec 10.

揟he main team will concentrate on the Champions Trophy as it is part of our preparations for the Olympic qualifiers next year.

揑nitially, the juniors were supposed to carry the challenge in Korat but the MHF (Malaysian Hockey Federation) felt that we should go with a more senior team with players from the national training squad.

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Sapura to represent Malaysia in indoor tourney

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will play in an international indoor hockey competition for the first time but will be represented by a club side without the services of their national players.

The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) picked former Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) champions Sapura to play in the second Asian Indoor Games in Macau from Oct 26-Nov 2 because they did not have an indoor team and the national players had other commitments during the period.

The MHF secretary, Hashim Mohamed Yusof, said yesterday: 揝apura have agreed to represent Malaysia and they leave with the rest of the contingent for the Games on Oct 24.

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India employ Charlesworth in bid to qualify for Beijing Games

NEW DELHI: India抯 field hockey chiefs have hired renowned coach Ric Charlesworth to help the eight-time champions qualify for next year抯 Beijing Olympics.

The former Australian captain has been signed on as technical advisor by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), who are desperate to avoid the humiliation of missing the Olympics for the first time.

India must win a six-nation qualifying tournament in Santiago, Chile, in March to make the trip to Beijing. Other teams in the tournament are Britain, Austria, Bangladesh, Chile and Egypt.

Charlesworth, 54, will work alongside men抯 national coach Joaquim Carvalho and also spend time with the women抯 team, who have also not yet qualified for the Olympics.

揅harlesworth will be with the team before the Chile trip,

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MHF to host tourney to give juniors top-class tune-up

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) will host an eight-team international tournament to provide the national juniors with top-level matches as part of their preparations for the 2009 Junior World Cup.

The MHF secretary, Hashim Mohamed Yusof, said they would invite Germany, Holland, India, Pakistan, South Korea, Australia and Spain to play in the tournament scheduled for Jan 21-30.

揥e have to stage the tournament early because there will be a host of qualifying tournaments next year for the Junior World Cup.  

揊or Asian teams, the Junior Asia Cup will be the qualifiers,

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Juniors skipper Ahmad all set for double duty

KUALA LUMPUR: Skipper Ahmad Kazamirul Nasrudin will shoulder a heavy responsibility for the national juniors in an Under-21 International Challenge hockey tournament at the Delta Stadium in Singapore.

The 19-year-old will not only marshal the defence but will also have to deliver goals from penalty corners.

Ahmad, who was the second highest scorer in this season抯 Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL) with 11 goals, said that his biggest challenge would be to deliver the goals and help Malaysia qualify for the semi-finals.

Malaysia, who are represented by the national Under-19 team, are in Group A with Australia and Singapore. Group B comprises India, Pakistan and Hong Kong. Malaysia will take on Australia today and Singapore tomorrow.

Ahmad, who is doing a matriculation course at the Bukit Jalil Sports School, expects a torrid time against the Australians.

揟he odds are heavily stacked against us. We lost to them in four of the five matches on the playing tour in Brisbane last month. Also, we are without five key players who will be sitting for the SPM examination,

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Malaysia lose to Australia

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia went down to a 2-4 defeat by Australia in their opening Group A match of an Under-21 international hockey tournament at the Delta Stadium in Singapore yesterday.

Midfielder Faisal Saari scored both goals for Malaysia from the penalty corner in the 12th and 46th minutes.

For Australia, they have completed the group fixtures with two wins. They defeated Singapore 3-0 in the opening match on Wednesday.

Malaysia, represented by an Under-19 team, have to beat Singapore today to reach the semi-finals.

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Singapore stun Malaysia in Under 21 tourney

KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore stunned Malaysia 2-1 in the Singapore International Invitational Under-21 hockey tournament at the Delta Hockey Stadium on Friday.

It was their second defeat in the tournament after the opening day抯 2-4 loss to Australia. They are now relegated to playing for fifth place against Hong Kong.

Coach Tai Beng Hai played down the defeat saying that the objective of the team was to expose the players many of whom have not had much training time with the team.

揥e selected this group of players as our main players were all unable to make the trip due to exams at home. So we felt that it would be good to give the fringe players the chance to gain some experience, as this is the group we would have to rely on for the 2009 Junior World Cup challenge.

揑t must be remembered that we did not bring a team to challenge for honours. But having said that we must blame ourselves for not having taken our chances at goal on Friday,

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Our Under-19 team finish fifth

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia trounced Hong Kong 9-0 to finish fifth in the Singapore Invitational Under-21 hockey tournament at the Delta Stadium yesterday.

It was Malaysia抯 first win in the tournament after their defeats by Australia (2-4) and Singapore (1-2) in the group fixtures.

Malaysia, who were represented by their Under-19 team, took part in the tournament as part of the preparations for the 2009 Junior World Cup.

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Tough act to follow for champions Johor

JOHOR BARU: Johor face an uphill task in their defence of the Razak Cup Division One hockey title at the 45th edition of the tournament which will be held in Kuantan from Oct 26-Nov 4.

Johor, who regained the Cup last year after a lapse of 18 years, will be without five key players, including brothers Logan and Kevin Raj, defenders Baljit Singh and Engku Malek Engku Mohamad and goalkeeper Ahmad Bazli.

Logan and Kevin will be in Macau with the Sapura team for the Asian Indoor Games while Ahmad, Baljit and Engku Malek are with the national squad preparing for the Champions Trophy which will be hosted by Malaysia.

For the second year running, national players will not feature in the Razak Cup tournament. Last year, the national team were training for the Doha Asian Games.

Johor Hockey Association (JHA) secretary Majid Manjit Abdullah said that the absence of key players would greatly affect Johor抯 hopes of retaining the title.

Johor beat Malacca 5-1 in the final in Johor Baru last year. The team this year are under the charge of former international S. Velappan, who replaces Gurmit Singh, now one of the assistant coaches of the national juniors.

This year抯 tournament will see the return of 16-time champions Kuala Lumpur. But they will feature in Division Two after skipping the last two editions.

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Depleted Perak play down chances to lift Div One crown

JOHOR BARU: Perak are without the services of seven national players for the Razak Cup hockey tournament and they will not count themselves among the favourites to win the Division One title.

The seven in the national training squad preparing for the Champions Trophy and the SEA Games are defender S. Poobalan; midfielders Riduwan Nasir, Erwan Pawi and Shukri Mutalib; forwards S. Selvarajoo and Hafifi Hafiz; and utility man Azli Misron.

Azli was the top scorer with 11 goals last year to help Perak win the Division Two title.

Perak are also unable to call up several players from their Sukma (Malaysia Games) squad because of year-end examinations. However, they welcome back defenders S. Gobinathan and Razlan Radzi, who have been dropped from the national team.

The tournament begins in Kuantan tomorrow and Perak begins their campaign on Saturday against last year's runners-up Malacca.

Coach Manjit Singh said from Ipoh yesterday: 揑t has not been smooth sailing for Perak. We did not train during the fasting month. Although we got going last Wednesday, we have never been able to get more than 10 players together. I am concerned with Perak抯 lack of preparation.

揌aving lost the cream of our players to the national squad, we will take it one match at a time. It won抰 be easy in Kuantan but we will give our best.

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Sasidharan to plot Malacca抯 challenge in the Razak Cup

MALACCA: Malacca now have V. Sasidharan to chart their fortunes in the Razak Cup Division One hockey tournament, which begins in Kuantan tomorrow.

The previous coach, S. Velappan, who led Malacca to the title for the first time in 2005 and runners-up finish last year, is now with defending champions Johor.

The Malacca Hockey Association secretary, Nasir Majid, said yesterday, 揟his is the first time that Sasidharan will handle a senior state outfit.

揌e has had much success with the state's schools, age-group and junior sides and we are confident that he will take Malacca far this time around. We are aiming for a top three finish.

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Stage set for young talents to shine in Razak Cup

KUANTAN: With national players ineligible and several students opting out to concentrate on the SPM examination, the 45th edition of the Razak Cup that gets under way here today provides a level playing field for all the teams.

With no clear favourites, the tournament will be the right platform for the young players to showcase their skills and impress the national selectors. The tournament will also provide a clear indication of the success of the development programmes at state-level.

揇espite the absence of the national players, the Razak Cup will not lack the glamour and excitement,

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Lucky draw for Johor

KUANTAN: Johor suffered a setback in the defence of their Razak Cup Division One hockey title when Selangor held them to a 1-1 draw at the Kuantan Hockey Stadium yesterday.

Johor may consider themselves lucky to share the points as the penalty stroke awarded to them in the 48th minute was a dubious decision which the Selangor players hotly disputed.

Hang Ezhar Hang Tuah made no mistake from the spot to put Johor 1-0 up. Selangor, however, fought back gallantly and Norhisham Shaari cleverly deflected the ball in off a penalty corner just before the final whistle.

Both teams had numerous chances in the match but were let down by poor finishing.

At the start of the second half, the defending champions were reduced to nine men after Sunil Prasad Eyamo (40th) and Md Izwan Hassan (41st) were sent to the sin bin but Selangor failed to take advantage.

However, both coaches were happy with the outcome of the match.

揑 can't complaint. My boys played very well against Johor who are the team to beat in the tournament,

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Forces on course for final after downing Selangor

KUANTAN: Azman Hassan scored a hat-trick in the Armed Forces' 4-2 win over Selangor in a Razak Cup Division One match at the Kuantan Hockey Stadium yesterday.

It was the second straight win for Forces following a 3-0 triumph over Negri Sembilan in their opening match. Forces are now on course for a place in the final.

Azman put Forces in front with a field goal in the 20th minute and followed it up with another field goal in the 48th minute. He completed his hat-trick with another field goal in the 61st minute. The other scorer for Forces was Zaini Sarif, who converted a penalty corner in the 39th minute.

Selangor, who did extremely well to hold defending champions Johor to a 1-1 draw in their opening match, scored through Mohd Noor Faeez Ibrahim, who converted a penalty in the 47th minute, and Mohd Shahril Baharuddin.

In another Division One match, Perak have only themselves to blame for allowing Johor to snatch a 1-1draw.

Perak dominated the exchanges and earned four penalty corners but failed to convert them.

Mohd Noor Khairul Azrain put Perak ahead with a field goal in the 51st minute and Johor equalised five minutes later through Mohd Izwab Hassan.

揥e could have sealed the match but failed to find the target with our penalty corners,

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Johor and Malacca in dire straits

KUANTAN: Defending champions Johor and last year's runners-up Malacca are still without a win the their challenge in Division One of the Razak Cup tournament.  

Johor were held in their two matches against Selangor and Perak, both by 1-1 margins. Malacca suffered a 1-2 defeat by Perak in their opening match and drew 1-1 with Negri Sembilan at the Kuantan Hockey Stadium.

Both Johor and Malacca will have to put up much better performances in their remaining three matches if they are to stay in title contention.

Despite missing seven key players, Perak have kept their championship hopes alive with a win and a draw.

  

All tangled up: Selangor抯 Mohd Noor Faeez Ibrahim (right) vying for the ball with two Johor players during their 1-1 draw in the Razak Cup on Saturday. Both teams are winless after two games.

揝o far I am satisfied with the way my boys have played but we certainly have to improve on our penalty corners,

aku1265

Ape cite Champions Trophy ni?.....  29/11 dah nak start.... xde promotion langsung pon....

tiket ade jual ke?....

aku1265

Ape cite Champions Trophy ni?.....  29/11 dah nak start.... xde promotion langsung pon....

tiket ade jual ke?....