Project 2013 Coach, K. Dharmaraj, eyeing Junior Asia Cup – Hockey Update
Project 2013 Coach, K. Dharmaraj, is quite satisfied with the performance of his team that clinched the title in the inaugural edition of the Sultan of Johor Cup, played at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium, in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, from November 5 to 12.
Following the victory in the six-nation invitational tournament, the Junior Malaysian hockey team is eyeing the Junior Asia Cup, set to be played in May 2012, in Malacca, Malaysia.
Without having the services of two of its key players, Firhan Ashaari and Faizal Saari, Malaysia still managed to achieve the honour, overcoming Pakistan, New Zealand, India, South Korea and Australia.
Firhan and Faizal are currently preparing for the Champions Challenge I with the national team. However, they will be available to play with the Project 2013 squad in the Malacca-based Junior Asia Cup, that also serves as a World Cup qualifier.
The coach believes that the squad will be more powerful after their return.
He, observed, “It will be a much stronger side to complement my first 11 because in Johor, we did not have depth on the bench and I had to use some of my strikers and defenders for 70 minutes in most of the matches”.
Commenting on the team’s strategies in the Sultan of Johor Cup, K. Dharmaraj was of the opinion that midfield and defensive positions played an important role in earning the victory for the country.
He underscored, “There was no need to fall back too much and chase the ball, which in the end tend to tire the strikers who had to double up as defenders like in basketball”.
Analysing the role of the custodians, the coach stated that both, Hafizuddin Othman and Hazrul Faiz, did not show good performances in the European and Oceania tours.
He, however, stated that his extra efforts served the country in terms of enormous improvement in the two goalkeepers.
It is vital to mention here that Hazrul Faiz was named ‘Man of the Match’ in the title-claiming fixture as well as the ‘Best Goalie of the Sultan of Johor Cup’.
Project 2013 coach, K. Dharmaraj, informed that Pakistan, India and Australia separately requested Malaysia to play a five-match series. He confirmed that they are mulling to adjust their request in preparations for the Junior Asia Cup.
The tournaments at the junior level will greatly serve to promote hockey across the globe. Moreover, international exposure will give the junior players a head start to qualify for their respective national squads.
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