Khairulnizam Ibrahim on edge of selection in national squad – Hockey News
The best goal-keeper in Division One of the Tun Abdul Razak Cup, Pahang’s Khairulnizam Ibrahim, may be called up to join the national training squad as they prepare to take on Japan’s national hockey side in a series of five tests matches.
It is due to the reason that Roslan Jamaluddin, the national goal-keeper, displayed quite a poor performance in the Tun Abdul Razak Cup hockey tournament which recently concluded in Malacca last week.
Roslan conceded a lot of malleable goals in the tournament which severely damaged the chances of Perak’s victory and they could only finish at fifth place in Division One.
Tai Beng Hai, Malaysia’s national hockey team coach, recently name a couple of players that he thought should join the training sessions of the national team.
“I cannot reveal their names as they have to be approved by the MHF (Malaysian Hockey Federation) first,” Tai Beng Hai, coach of the national side, who remained in Malacca last week to watch the Razak Cup matches, stated his views.
Tampin, Negeri Sembilan based, the 32-year-old goal-keeper, Kumar who did not participate in the Razak Cup in Malacca last week, has joined the national team for training yesterday.
“I have just recovered from injury but I am looking forward to giving my best in the Test matches, which are part of our preparation for the Asian Champions Trophy in China next month. The Asian Champions Trophy will be good tournament as we will be able
to gauge where we stand against the top six teams in Asia,” Kumar, who was named as the best goal-keeper in seven Asian Champions Trophy tournament, stated about their next challenges.
Kumar, having 178 international caps under his belt, further stated that their biggest challenge will be to qualify for the Olympic Games in London, England next year.
Meanwhile, the national senior team will be up against Japan for a series of four test matches while the same Japanese side will also play a single match against the Project 2013 squad.
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