Sunday, November 4, 2012

FIVE MALAYSIANS HEAD FOR HOCKEY INDIA LEAGUE



Asian All Star goalkeeper Kumar Subramaniam is among five members of the silver medal-winning 2010 Asian Games Malaysian hockey team who have signed up for the Hockey India League Players’ Auction to be held this month in the run up to the six franchise Hockey India League that will start on 5 January 2013.

The 33-year-old comes with vast international experience, having played 197 games that includes matches in three Asian Games, two Commonwealth Games and an FIH Champions Trophy tournament. Subramaniam was given the Asian All Star Award at the Asian Games 2010 in Guangzhou, China and has been the Best Goalkeeper in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup four times.

The versatile Azlan Misron, 29, comes with even more experience – having played as many as 269 matches for Malaysia and scoring 40 goals. Like Subramaniam, he has taken part in three Asian Games, winning bronze in 2002 and silver in 2010, two Commonwealth Games and the FIH Champions Trophy in 2007.

The 29-year-old forward Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin is another player who was part of the Asian All Star team in 2010. With 46 goals in 167 matches for Malaysia, Tajuddin’s career has been highlighted by the silver medal in the Asian Games in 2010 and the bronze medal in the Asian Champions Trophy the same year.

The resolute defender Muhammad Raize, 25, is the third Asian All Star 2010 player who has signed up for the Hockey India League Players’ Auction. With 115 international matches under his belt, he also boasts of the Asian Games 2010 silver medal and the Asian Champions Trophy 2010 bronze medal dominating his showcase.

Just 21 years of age, Faizal Saari has already earned the reputation of being an exciting forward. With as many as 85 caps, he has been a part of the Malaysian team that won silver in the Asian Games 2010 in Guangzhou a month after competing here in the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi. Top-scorer in the Malaysian Hockey League, he has also played in the Australian League.