Amin Rahim's appearance in Azlan Shah reliant over a medical report – Malaysian Hockey
Malaysian Men Hockey team’s Head Coach, Tai Beng Hai, is giving a second thought for including defender Mohamed Amin Rahim in the national squad, which will play the 20th edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament in Ipoh, from May 5-15.
A total of three spots are still vacant in the squad for which Amin is the strongest contender. However, his future is in the hands of the team management and the coach.
The fifteen players that secured their spot in the squad are the 2010 Asian Games finalists, who secured a silver medal for the country in the event. Among them, the sixteenth player was Amin, who has hardly recovered out of his knee ligament injury that
happened in the recent Malaysian Hockey League, while playing for the Tenaga Nasional.
Even though the 31-year-old is confident that he has recovered, Beng Hai needs to reconsider the matter.
The Chief Coach, said, "Amin has recovered from his knee injury but I will wait until the team managers' meeting before deciding on him. It all depends on another medical check in the next two days and then I will decide if I want to rest him for the long run
(Champions Challenge and Olympics Qualifier) or field him now."
Beng Hai, added, "Fifteen players are assured of their places, while Amin's will be decided later. Also, Azreen (Rizal) picked up an injury while playing against New Zealand (on Sunday) and I will wait for the doctor's recommendation on him."
Meanwhile, Malaysia secured a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in a friendly match on May 1. The Malaysian coach feels that the Black Sticks are a strong team, despite of the fact that the side does not have few of their hockey charms among them this time.
According to Beng Hai, the New Zealand have prepared well for the tournament and will pose a threat to every time in the competition.
Another Malaysian player, Kelvinder Singh, had injured himself in the 2010 Asian Games. The player is expected to make it back to the team in Ipoh for the seven-nation tournament, as he has recovered from his injury.
In accordance to the Azlan Cup, only 18 members are allowed for a team, which means if Amin is ruled out and Singh makes it for a spot, the rest of the two spots are expected to be awarded to players from the Project 2013. The move would give beginners an
international debut in the tournament.
With two days to go, Malaysia will be facing-off their British counterpart on the opening day of the Invitational tournament on May 5, in Ipoh, Malaysia.
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