Thursday, January 24, 2013

FIVE MATCHES AHEAD OF AZLAN SHAH CUP

The national hockey team will play five matches ahead of the 22nd edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.

Coach Paul Revington said that three of the matches will be against Ireland while another two are against defending Azlan Shah Cup champions New Zealand.

The three matches against Ireland will be played between 10-14 February in Bukit Jalil, who
E the two against New Zealand are tentatively scheduled between 24-26 February also at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

"The additional plans are still dependent on discussions with other countries as we are trying to piece programs together and fit calendars together, " said Revington.

On the state on injuries in the national team, Revington disclosed that two players, Izwan Firdaus and Hafifihafiz Hanafi were still injured.

"Izwan Firdaus is out for at least another month from now while Hafifi is going to have an operation on his knee at end of the month. Both will likely miss the Azlan Shah Cup as a result," said Revington.

The coach added that the proposed specialist coaches program to be attached to the national team is an ongoing process working with the NSC and the budget process for 2013.

"We are aiming to get the goalkeeper coach out to Malaysia sometime during February, while we would like to debut a flicking coach too before the end of February if possible," added Revington.