Azreen Rizal and Mohamed Amin Rahim called back for European Tour
Azreen Rizal and Mohamed Amin Rahim have been recalled in the national hockey squad for the upcoming European Tournament just before the 2012 London Olympics’ Qualifiers. The Malaysian team will play eleven matches in Spain and Netherlands.
The squad comprises of youngsters and experienced players that will hopefully show impressive performances in the tour. Shahrin Mohamed, Faiz Helmy, Mohamed Azri Hassan and Mohamed Fitri Bakar will make their debut in the international hockey.
Tai Beng Hai, the chief coach of the national men’s team, was of the opinion that the European Tournament would assist the national players to further hone their skills. In his views, the team should be provided more time to play in the pressure-like situation.
He stated that, “We also want to see an increase in the fitness level and to cut down on the unforced errors. These are some of the more obvious weaknesses identified during the tournament in Ipoh last month.”
It is important to mention here that the two players due to injuries were not part of the national side that contested the seven-nation Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. The pair will be part of the 20-member squad that left for Europe on June 14.
The Malaysian squad is missing four international players including Azlan Misron, Mohamed Shahrun Nabil, Faizal Saari and Mohamed Shukri Mutalib. The former two are not included due to injuries, while latter duo is busy in the Australian Hockey League (AHL).
The coach further stated, “It is part of our plan to groom more leaders in the team. These three players will benefit from the experience and Madzli will help them. Tengku Ahmad and Razie were also co-captains for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament.”
The Malaysian team includes Mohamed Madzli Ikmar, Mohamed Razie Rahim, Mohamed Amin Rahim, Azreen Rizal, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin, Hafifihafiz Hanafi, Izwan Firdaus, Azammi Adabi, S. Kumar, Roslan Jamaluddin, Mohamed Fitri Bakar, Shahrin Mohamed, Mohamed Izzat
Rahim, Mohamed Asri Hassan, Faiz Helmy, Kelvinder Singh, Mohamed Marhan Jalil, Mohamed Firhan Ashari, Baljit Singh and Nabil Fiqri Mohamed Nor.
The Malaysian team will play a couple of Test matches against Holland on June 17 and 18, respectively. They will also face senior and junior hockey teams of Spain besides some matches against national clubs.
It is also worth mentioning here that three-vice captains have been named for the European tour including Mohamed Razie Rahim, S. Kumar and Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin. Mohamed Madzli Ikmar will be skipper of the national side during the tour.
The Malaysian hockey squad will also contest another couple of events including Asian Champions Trophy and Champions Challenge I in later this year. The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) is also planning to organise a tour to South Korean and Australia after
European Tournament.
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