Speedy Tigers' Australian Tour To Help Determine Players For World Cup Qualifiers - Head Coach

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- The national men’s hockey squad’s tour of Australia, from tomorrow to Jan 25, will act as final preparations ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Ismailia, Egypt in March.

Head coach Sarjit Singh said the five-match tour, three against Australian club Thundersticks and two against the Australian national team, would help determine who among the 22 players would be included in the 20player-strong World Cup qualifying team. 

“The coaches will assess players who display their best performance, are compatible as a team and adapt quickly in various match situations,” he said, as he expressed his hope that all the players would prove their ability to react positively when faced with the pressures of selection.

“The Australian tour involves a combination of both senior and junior players. Three of six junior players were called up for training camp - Andywalfian Jeffrynus, Muhammad Adam Ashraf Mohd Johari and Muhammad Danish Aiman Khairil Anuar - and will be with us.

“This combination is important to ensure team balance, and to provide junior players opportunities to gain experience at the senior level,” he said in a statement shared by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation oday.

The Speedy Tigers will play Thundersticks on Jan 16, 17 and 22, and the Australian national team on Jan 20 and 24 in Perth, allowing the players to adapt to a higher level of match tempo, physicality and pressure, he added.

Malaysia has been drawn in Pool B for the World Cup qualifiers, together with China, Pakistan and Austria.

-- BERNAMA