KUALA LUMPUR: The national men’s junior hockey team has been handed a semi-final target at the Junior Asia Cup (JAC) 2024, which will be held from Nov 26 to Dec 4 in Al Amarat Muscat, Oman.
The tournament also serves as an Asian qualifier for the 2025 Junior World Cup, granting tickets to the six highest-ranked teams which have yet to qualify. Malaysia finished fourth in last year’s JAC.
To qualify for the semi-finals, the Young Tigers, ranked 11th in the world, must secure the top two spots in Group B against world number nine Pakistan, Bangladesh (21), Oman (33) and China (48). Group A is made of defending champions India, South Korea (12), Japan (18), Chinese Taipei (37) and Thailand (40).
Team manager Ganesh Shanmugam said the Young Tigers would strive for a podium finish in Oman.
Malaysia are still looking to end their title drought after emerging as champions in 2012.
“We have selected players who have the skills, talent and good character, which I believe are key to achieving positive results. All they need to do is believe in themselves, have a strong mental perception and move forward,” he said in a statement issued by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC).
Meanwhile, head coach I. Vikneswaran said his charges are well aware of their World Cup mission, advising them not to look down on Group B contenders, especially Pakistan.
“The training sessions concluded recently, and they were geared towards sharpening our skills in several areas. There is no room for mistakes.
“Pakistan are skilled and fast; they have several experienced senior team players, including Muhammad Sufyan Khan, who recently received the FIH Rising Star of the Year award. We will face a litmus test against them,” he said.
Malaysia will play China in the opening match. – Bernama
