AN EPIC ON THE CARDS

Any match between India and Pakistan will create a stir amongst hockey fans worldwide.

Thus expect the same when the two traditional foes take on each other in a Group B match at the MBM Hockey Stadium in Malacca, Malaysia on Sunday.

Having started off the tournament in contrasting fashion, with India slamming 11 goals past a hapless Sri Lanka while Pakistan toiled to a 1-0 win over China, both teams are expected to dish out free flowing hockey.

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INDIA HAMMER SRI LANKA

India showed no mercy as they trashed Sri Lanka 11-0 in their opening match of the 7^th Junior Asia Cup played at the MBM Hockey Stadium in Malacca Malaysia this evening.

India took only three minutes to open scoring through skipper Akashdeep Singh who deflected in a cross from the right.

And three minutes later it was 2-0 for India as Amit Rohidass sent in a powerful flick into the roof of the net from a penalty corner, giving Sri Lankan keeper Nuwan Premathilaka no chance at all.

With the two goals in the bag, India started playing free flow hockey, gaining another penalty corner in the 11^th minute. But Amit did not capitalize.

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PAKISTAN EDGE CHINA

Pakistan played below par but still managed to etch out a 1-0 win over a resilient China in the 7^th Junior Asia Cup Group B match at the MBM Stadium in Malacca, Malaysia.

The match was marred with many niggling fouls and there was no real flowing hockey that Pakistan is so accustomed to displaying.

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JUNIOR ASIA CUP

Malaysia defeated Iran 6-1 while Korea got the better of Japan 4-1. For more log on to www.hockey-asia.com or follow it on twitter @hockeyasia.

FOUR SPOTS FOR ASIA

With 16 teams to play in the 2013 Junior World Cup, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has now allotted four places for Asia, much to the relief of the teams participating in the Junior Asia Cup in Malacca.

Initially Asia was only awarded three spots, with India gaining one of the slots by virtue of being the hosts for the tournament that is scheduled for November next year.

This news was well received by the teams participating in the Asia Junior Cup that gets underway on Thursday with the final scheduled for May 13.

Tournament website: www.hockey-asia.com

JUNIOR ASIA CUP PREVIEW

Twenty four winters ago, a seed was sown in one of the Asian hockey’s enduring hockey bastions, Karachi in Pakistan. It was Asian Hockey Federation’s baby, Junior Asia Cup, which has now grown into a vibrant sporting event of Asia. 

Early symptoms of hockey nations’ rise and fall were seen on this sporting genre, guiding them to proper development of sport in the continent. Later when the Junior Asia Cup was recognized as the qualifier for the Junior World  Cup the otherwise competitive and much expected event has attained all contours of another of serious tournament, evoking in its way much interest among the pros and connoisseurs alike. 

The AHF in fact added another feather to its cap, when, eight years after Asia Cup was put on place, it came out with a junior version.

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IZZAT LOSES HIS NUMBER ONE FAN

( Izzat - first from the right, in action at SOJC)

National junior Noor Izzat lost his number one fan when his father Sumantri passed away on Monday, just three days before the Asia Junior Cup got underway in Malacca.

Sumantri succumbed to cancer at the age of 48, leaving behind his wife and five children, three boys and two girls.

Izzat was in Malacca and rushed back to Klang last night. When met at the Klang Hospital mortuary, he was in tears.

"My father wanted to see me play in the Asia Cup and had even packed his bags as he was planning to go down to Malacca on Tuesday," said Izzat.

"His condition took a turn for the worse early this morning when he started to vomit. He was taken to HUKM but was not admitted.

"In the evening he was drifting in and out of consciousness and he passed away on the way to the hospital.

"I am devastated with his death and will miss him as he made it a point to watch me play."

In fact Izzat's younger sister Noor Azlin is in Japan with the national women's hockey team participating in the Olympic Qualifiers. She however will be unable to make it for the funeral which is scheduled for 11.00am on Tuesday in Klang.

Another sibling is currently in Alor Star representing Kuala Lumpur in the National Under 16 Championships.

Present at the Klang Hospital were MHC Secretary General Tuan Haji Johari Aziz and Hashim Mohd Yusof.

"I will see how things are and discuss with my siblings and mother before deciding if I will play in the Asia Cup," said Izzat who purchased a new car to ensure his father could travel comfortably to Malacca for the tournament.

"My father really wanted to be there in person. Now he is no longer with us but I believe that he would have wanted me to play and bring honor to the country."

Meanwhile the National Junior Team will pay their last respects on Tuesday as arrangements have been made for the players to travel from Malacca to attend the funeral.

"We are all saddened and extend our condolences to Izzat," said coach K. Dharmaraj.

"It will be his decision solely to decide what he wants to do as I will respect whatever decision he makes on the Asia Junior Cup."

For team manager Mirnawan Nawawi, it was vital to see the state of mind of the player before deciding the next course of action.

"It is indeed sad as I met his dad on several occasions and could see that he was proud of his children representing Malaysia," said Mirnawan.

"While we are only to finalize the players list by Wednesday evening, I will speak to Izzat and see what he wants to do and respect the decision."