Speedy Tigers aim to build on Asian Games silver in India

HL: Speedy Tigers aim to build on Asian Games silver in India

By Aftar Singh

KUALA LUMPUR: The Speedy Tigers hope to build on their previous performance at the Asian Champions Trophy as they compete in Punjab, India, from Oct 27 to Nov 5.

Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) deputy president and manager of the national men's senior team Datuk Ahmad Najmi Abdul Razak said they want the national squad to maintain the momentum gained from their runner-up finish at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

He also urged the players to take up the challenge set by MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal to pull off a surprise by defeating defending champions India on their home turf, while ensuring consistent performance throughout the tournament.

"Our achievement as silver medallist at the Asian Games should serve as motivation for us to maintain our winning momentum.

"I want the players to perform consistently, sustain their best form, and take to the field with full confidence to meet the challenge of defeating India on their home turf.

"We need to demonstrate Malaysia's capability as one of the top teams in Asia and finish this tournament in a better position than we did in the previous editions," he said.

Malaysia has retained the squad that competed at the Asian Games, with Norsyafiq Sumantri being the only player absent from the campaign in Punjab due to a biceps injury.

He was replaced by Adam Asyraf Johari, who is currently playing in the Under-21 Sultan of Johor Cup.

Besides Malaysia and hosts India, the other teams in the fray are Japan, South Korea, China and Bangladesh.

Malaysia will kick off their campaign against China on Oct 27, followed by matches against South Korea (Oct 29), Bangladesh (Oct 30), India (Nov 1), and Japan (Nov 2) in the round-robin format.

Malaysia has never won the Asian Champions Trophy with their best finish being runners-up to India in Chennai in 2023.

At the last ACT meet in Inner Mongolia, China in 2024, Malaysia finished last among six teams.

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Hafizuddin Othman, Zaimi Mat Deris

Defenders: Marhan Jalil, Aminuddin Zain, Shafiq Hassan, Amirul Hamizan Azahar, Faris Harizan, Andywalfian Jeffrynus, Faiz Helmi Jali

Midfielders: Fitri Saari, Nik Aiman Nik Rozemi, Ashran Hamsani, Shello Silverius, Muhajir Abdu Rauf, Faizal Saari

Forwards: Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal, Akhimullah Anuar Esook, Azimuddin Syakir Kamaruddin, Adam Asyraf Johari, Che Nur Aqilrullah Che Khairulzi Anwar