MALAYSIA wins gold at Olympics

Malaysia won "gold" at the London Olympics. Read about the expose in The Malay Mail on Tuesday to know what transpired at the games, a year late but it's a shame.

THE MHC CEO SAGA

Many have asked on the update of the interviews conducted last week to fill the position of the Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Hockey Confederation.

Suffice to say that at the moment no revelation has been made by the MHC, even after the interview process where the candidates were asked to do presentations on what they have planned for MHC. Each candidate was in the room for around 80 minutes each.

In actual fact the decision was already made before the interview. Read the new website www.malaysianhockey.com.my for a clearer picture with regards to the manner in which this process was handled later tonight and make your own opinion....

NEW SITES

Kindly visit www.malaysianhockey.com.my and www.hockey-asia.com as we will be migrating fully to these two sites in the near future. The websites are open for advertising as well hence please contact me should you be keen. Please note that the two sites have no link to either the Malaysian Hockey Confederation or Asian Hockey Federation and strives to bring readers updated news, without any assistance from the two hockey bodies.

MUTHUKUMAR QUITS

Having survived a no motion confidence last year, Malaysian Hockey Confederation Umpires Committee Chairman B. Muthukumar tendered his resignation in a surprise move.

Read www.malaysianhockey.com.my

CHANGES IN STORE FOR MJHL AND MHL

The stakeholders of the TNB - Malaysian Hockey League have agreed to the proposal of the Malaysian Hockey Confederation to break up the Division One and Premier Division, to be played at two different times.

And early notice has been given to clubs intending to participate in the MHC-MILO-NSC Junior Hockey League with the closing date set for November 30. The tournament will commence on January 10 until March 10.

Thus the First Division will be held from March till May while the Premier Division will be contested from October till December next year.

More: Read www.tnbmhl.com.my and www.mjhl.com.my

AWARD TO BE NAMED AFTER CHUA

In a fitting tribute to the late Chua Boon Huat, the Malaysian Hockey Confederation Competitions Committee will propose that the Most Promising Player Award for the MHC-MILO-NSC Junior Hockey League be named after the player.

The proposal was brought up during a dialogue session between MHC and the teams participating in the MHL and MJHL and it was unanimously agreed by all present, in appreciation of Chua's contribution to Malaysian Hockey.

Read www.malaysianhockey.com.my

DUTA STADIUM TO BE RELOCATED

The Jalan Duta Sports Complex is set to undergo a major revamp if plans initiated by Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin take off within the next one-year.

A land swap deal will see new facilities being built for sports and that entails moving the present Tun Razak Hockey Stadium, Squash Centre as well as the bus station that caters for those travelling north.

And it just dies not stop there for Khairy is also looking at redeveloping the Kampung Pandan Sports Complex in a similar land swap deal that will prove to be beneficial for Malaysian sports.

Khairy or KJ as he is known, was met during his solo spot check on sports facilities, which will be a normal occurrence with the Minister, who eschews protocol and prepared briefings.  Thus sports officials can now expect him to walk in alone at anytime to have a first hand look at the on goings within the fraternity.

For more - www.malaysianhockey.com.my

THREE WAY FIGHT FOR MHC CEO POST

 Former general manager of the Malaysian Hockey Confederation Maninderjit Singh could well make a return to the national hockey body, but this time as the Chief Executive Officer.

Maninderjit is one of the three candidates set to attend an interview for the position to be conducted next Saturday by the MHC.

The other two are University of Malaya Sports Science Faculty lecturer Mohd Faithal Hassan and former international K. Logan Raj, who is a columnist’s with The Malay Mail.

For more go to www.hockey-asia.com

SECOND DEFEAT FOR JUNIORS

Despite a better performance, the national juniors fell to their second defeat against their Indian counterparts at the Dyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi last night.

The Malaysian Juniors blew a two goal lead to succumb to a 4-3 defeat after losing the first match 4-2 last Friday.

For more read www.hockey-asia.com

DRAW FOR HOCKEY - 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Malaysia had mixed fortunes when the draws and fixtures of the 2014 Commonwealth Games hockey competition were released.

 

The men weredrawn in Pool B together with the likes of England, Trinidad & Tobago, New Zealand and Canada thus avoiding big guns Australia and India who are grouped together with Scotland, Wales and South Africa.

 

For more visit www.hockey-asia.com

Revington's side find form at key time

Malaysia saved their best match of the International Super Series for last in defeating Pakistan for bronze, 2-1. The Malaysian men went to school on their preliminary round defeats and were never headed in a tight tussle after getting their noses ahead.

The ball went pinging from one end to the other as Malaysia and Pakistan hustled up and down the Perth Hockey Stadium pitch. The teams have grasped the defensive systems required in Hockey 9s to add another dimension to the play the longer the week has gone.

Multiple efforts were required to force the ball, by hook or by crook, into the back of the net, the desperation of playing for bronze on show for all to see.

In an even first half it was Malaysia who broke through when Azlan Misron muscled his way through a congested goal circle in the 17th minute.

And they put themselves in the box seat for bronze when they scored next, six minutes into the second half. Zig zagging sharply with clean passing, the movement was polished off by Izwan Firdaus, who went head-first into the goals with the touch for two-nil.

The Green Shirts edged within one on 29 minutes using the 4 v 2 field advantage afforded with the Hockey 9s penalty corners. Muhammad Arslan Qadir brought the ball into play before getting it back and sweeping it home past the stretched defence.

Pakistan were denied in three consecutive set-pieces during the busy last minutes, Malaysian custodian Roslan Jamaluddin jabbing out to the left with a reflex shot-stopper.

The Malaysians were delighted with the result and coach Paul Revington could see the result coming, after a tough week.

“With the group that we have got here, obviously we hoped for more wins from game one to game four.

“There had to be a level of improvement and while we’re improving we still wanted to win games and I think today we put certain ingredients together and that resulted in our win.”

Revington felt the Hockey 9s format provided important benefits for the growth of the Malaysian side.

“There is more space versus an 11-a-side game which means you need to organise more, you need to run more and you need to work more as a group.

“Those ingredients with what we’re trying to do for Malaysian hockey and building the size of the squad, the tournament has been very good for us.”

SCORED 2, CONCEDED 22, THE STORY OF MALAYSIAN GIRLS

Having finished fifth at the recent Women Asia Cup, there was no respite for the Malaysian women squad who look like ending right down under in the Super 9s Tournament in Perth.

Having lost 8-0 to Australia and 10-1 to Aegentina, they completed their preliminary round with a 4-1 defeat against Canada.

And once the players fly into KLIA on Monday, hey head directly to Ipoh for the RNA Cup after which they pack up and leave to Japqn for the AHF Champions Trophy.

No wonder we keep getting hammered as players get no respite.

Canada took their first win of the International Super Series to open Ausdrill Pink Ladies Day on Saturday against Malaysia. The 4-1 result will give the Canadian women confidence ahead of the re-match in the playoff for third place tomorrow. 

Keeping their powder dry for tomorrow, both teams had trouble stringing together meaningful movements down the field.

The Malaysians were having a difficult time working through the puzzle that was the Canadian press. On the other side of the ball, Canada’s territorial advantage did not translate to shots on goal.

A long corner followed by a penalty corner to Malaysia presented Amarina with their best chance of the first half but the shot went high. 

As time ticked down on the shot and game clocks before half time, Kristine Wishart brought the ball in from the penalty corner, camped herself at the post and swept home Canada’s first, a play that has worked so well this week.

Canada persisted and got reward for effort in the second half. Thea Culley scored in the 25th minute when she cut through the circle to the right, opened up the angle and hammered home on the run.

In a sweeping movement to the left, Abigail Raye blasted towards the goal mouth where Amanda Woodcroft navigated the ball through. Provider turned scorer five minutes later when the Canadians tried to replicate the move that got them Wishart’s first but from the initial save, Raye tomahawked a goal to give Canada confirmation of the win.

Malaysia’s Nadia Abdul Rahman ensured her team didn’t leave empty handed with a consolation score in traffic during a goal-mouth wrestle.

A DEFEAT IN FIRST FRIENDLY IN DELHI

Malaysia lost the first of their three friendly matches against India at the Dyan Chand Stadiun in preparation for the Junior World Cup this December.

India took a 3-0 lead at halftime before the Malaysians got onto the scoresheet but Undia scored the fourth to take the fight out of the Malaysians.

It was a repeat of the Sultan of Johor Cup final where India prevailed 3-0. But this time around India fielded a majority of players that did not travel to Johor Baru.

Missing from the team in Johor Baru were  midfielder Harjeet Singh, keeper Harjot Singh, striker Ramandeep Singh while the most notable Malaysian absentee was Firhan Ashaari who was nursing a knee injury/

However India had the services of Gurvinder Singh, Malak Singh, Mandeep Singh, all of whom who did not travel to the SOJC as they were nursing injuries.

"It was a good performance considering we took time to adjust to the bumpy putch conditions as well as several decisions that went against us<' said team manager Mirnawan Nawawi.

"There are still two more matches to go and we are here to adapt to the conditions and playing India gives the coaches an opportunity to asses the players as we will name our final 18 next month."

India opened scoring in the 2nd minute as Gurjinder converted a penalty corner. giving keeper Hazrul Faiz no chance whatsoever.

Despite having possession, Malaysia failed to make much headway and India hit back through a counter attack with Talwinder Singh scoring the second goal in the 11th minute.

Mohd Syamin Yusof and Rashid Baharom created very good chances  in 10th n 18th minute but their attempts were well saved by Sushant Tirkey in the Indian goal..

At the stroke of halftime India scored their third via Muhd Amir Khan for a halftime lead of 3-0.

Malaysia opted for a high press in the opening minutes of the second half and were duly rewarded with their first penalty corner of the match in the 38th minute but it was wasted.

A mistake from the Indian defense earned Malaysia their second penalty corner two minutes later and Shahril Saabah converted to reduce the deficit.

However the Indians hit back with their fourth goal in the 44th minute, Gurjinder scoring his second, to make it 4-1.

Malaysia reduced the deficit via Zulhairi Hashim in the 51st minute but could not make count another two penalty corners in the last ten minutes of the match.

The next match will be played on Sunday while the third on Monday, both at 7.00pm local Indian time.

BAD TO WORSE

Things at the Malaysian Hockey Confederation seems to be going from bad to worse.

For how would one explain the mess in the organization of the RNA Cup - the national championships for women.

The tournament is to be held in Ipoh from Monday October 21 till Sunday October 27.

But until the time this post is written, neither the number of teams nor the fixtures have been released by MHC.

And this raises more questions - as to who actually runs competitions in MHC for it seems the Competitions Committee was not even consulted initially.

This is baffling as MHC is supposed to have been merged but how is it that individuals decide hosting of a tournament.

That is not all for it gets more interesting as Selangor is not participating in the tournament  - citing lack of funds.

But hold on, was it not Selangor that collected a cool RM600,000 for the Women Asia Cup last month?

Meaning they spent that amount on a six day tournament, where part updating teams pay their own board and lodging?

Mind you the Razak Cup cost Pahang RM300,000 and they paid for lodging of 14 teams over a 9 day period.

Something does not add up here.

SHAMEFUL DEFEATS

By Ghaz Ramli

Malaysian captain Shahrun  Nabil Abdullah remained a cool cat after his side was thrashed 8-0 against host Australia at the International Super Series Hockey 9s at the Perth Hockey Stadium today.

"The team here in Perth consist of some young players and we are in the midst of training phase."

"We approached today's game with not much expectation. The 9s game is modern hockey with a fast phase and we were not," said Shahrun.

However, Shahrun, who has captained the national side for 43 games is confident of the new players in the squad.

"We are showing progress and that is always a positive," said the Terengganu born looking ahead with the assignment scheduled for the national team.

Australian star Jamie Dwyer transformed the Kookaburras into a goal machine in the sixth minute before completing his hat-trick with goal in the 19th and 34th minute.

Liam Young, Aran Zalewski and Simon Orchard got a goal each in the 14th, 18th and 30th minute respectively.

Russell Ford become the toast of the crowd as he converted two penalty corner at the buzzers. One during the half-time while his second goal came at the full time buzzer.

The Kookaburras take on Pakistan tomorrow while Malaysia will play Argentina.

"We have learnt a lot since our friendly against Argentina (lost 5-1) three days ago," said Shahrun.

"We will use the lessons learnt in the two defeats (yesterday against Pakistan) to try to hold the Argentineans," he added.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian women side was outplayed by Argentina losing 10-1 with Malaysia's sole goal coming from Siti Noor Amarina Ruhani. They play Canada tomorrow

RESULTS

WOMEN

MAS 1 ARG 10

AUS 7 CAN 0

MEN

AUS 8 MAS 0

ARG 5 PAK 5

FIXTURES (19 Oct)

WOMEN

CAN V MAS

AUS V ARG

MEN

PAK V AUS

ARG V MAS

MALAYSIA GO DOWN TO PAKISTAN IN SUPER 9's

By Ghaz Ramli

Despite opening their campaign with a 5-3 defeat in the hands of Pakistan, Malaysia begin the International Super Series Hockey 9s at the Perth Hockey Stadium in Perth on a high.

"Obviously we are not happy with the results but the nine game is about angle and passing and we took too slow to understand," said Malaysian coach Paul Revington.

The South African however went on to praise his side for the improvement of play since reaching Western Australia after a 5-1 defeat in test with Argentina two days ago.

"We were reasonably happy with the performance in the first half but conceded two long corner goals," added Revington.

"We are in the phase of our training when we need this kind of matches especially with the new players in the team," he said.

Malaysia got off to a good start scoring in the opening seconds as Nabil Fiqri found the net.

The Pakistanis recovered from the early shock five minutes later as Arsian Qadir converted a penalty corner.

Umar Bhutta put Pakistan in the lead when he converted another penalty corner 10 minutes later.

The match tempo in the second half increased impressively as the produced a goal fest with both teams getting a goal each beginning with Pakistan's Salman Hussain (23rd min).

Captain Sharun Nabil made in 3-2 three minutes later.

Muhammad Dilber  extended Pakistan's lead in the 35th minute but the gap did not last long as Malaysia's Norhizzat Sumantri got on the scoresheet in the 36th minute.

As the Malaysian were strategising for an equaliser Pakistan cemented their win when Dilber registered his second of the night a minute before the buzzer to win 5-3.

With a usual target of winning the tournament,  Malaysians, which doesn't not have the service of star forward Faizal Saari, will face the Kookaburras next.

The Australians put on an impressive show as they drew 4-4 against the Argentina who will face Pakistan next.

Results

MEN

AUS 4 ARG 4
PAK 5 MAS 3

WOMEN

AUS 8 MAS 0
CAN 1 ARG 4

FIXTURE (18 Oct)

MEN

AUS V MAS
PAK V ART

WOMEN

ARG V MAS
AUS V CAN