KUALA LUMPUR: Despite Malaysia holding the status of being 16-time champions in hockey at the SEA Games, the national junior hockey squad who will be competing in the Cambodia SEA Games next month refuse to be swayed by the success achieved but instead are determined to continue the legacy in Phnom Penh.
For team captain, Muhamad Faris Harizan, he said that even though they are capable of realising the mission of winning the gold medal, the Young Tigers should not underestimate the other ASEAN countries at the biennial Games.
According to Faris, who plays in defence, there is still a lot of ‘homework’ to be done by the team if they do not want to be humiliated in Cambodia.
“The pressure will be there as usual but we can’t take all the other teams lightly. They will certainly not give an easy path to us.
“The SEA Games is a highly competitive international Games. Although it is considered as a medium to gain experience, we have to stick with the mission of winning the gold medal,” he said when contacted by Bernama.
The national hockey squad are a major force at the SEA Games, holding the record of winning 16 gold medals since 1971.
The last time Malaysia won gold was in Kuala Lumpur in 2017. Malaysia were also the hosts when they won the gold the first time in 1971.
However, hockey was not offered at the 2019 edition in Manila and 2021 Hanoi SEA Games last year. The Hanoi Games was held last year because the COVID-19 pandemic was raging in 2021.
Faris said at the same time, the junior squad can breathe a sigh of relief as four senior national players are confirmed to be in the squad, thereby strengthening the team’s chances.
For this edition (Cambodia SEA Games), Speedy Tigers players Muhamad Ramadan Rosli (midfielder), Muhamad Zaimi Mat Deris (goalkeeper) as well as Muhammad Najib Abu Hassan and Muhammad Amirul Hamizan Azahar (defenders) will be fielded to beef up the Young Tigers.
“With their presence, for me it can help the juniors in terms of knowledge and experience. We are also making preparations for the Junior World Championships (JWC) later this year, so they (seniors) can help,” Faris said.
The squad managed by Muhammad Amin Rahim are currently in Perth, Australia, to go through warm-up action before taking on the national challenge at the Cambodia SEA Games from May 1 to 8 and the 2023 Junior Hockey Asia Cup in Salalah, Oman from May 23 to June 1. – BERNAMA
