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KUALA LUMPUR – The national men’s hockey team, also known as the Speedy Tigers, are confident of doing their best in the 2023 Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, India from January 13-29, although they will be without the services of assistant coach Muhamad Amin Rahim.
National head coach A. Arul Selvaraj said Amin will not be able to join them in India as he has to handle the men’s special project squad, which is undergoing preparation for the 2023 Hockey Junior World Cup to be held here at the end of this year.
He said the decision was also made due to various other reasons, including the logistical issues in India involving the two match venues in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, apart from the International Hockey Federation’s allocation of only 30 accreditation cards per team.
“I have 13 support staff under me. Of the 30 accreditations, 20 are for the players and the remaining 10 for the coaches.
“I have held a meeting with the coaches and divided their duties, although half of them won’t be in India. But I must admit that Amin has expertise in penalty corners,” he said when met at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
However, Arul Selvaraj said that Amin will still help the Speedy Tigers via online training despite not being with the senior team in India.
At the World Cup in India, Malaysia were drawn in Group C with New Zealand, Chile and three-time champions the Netherlands.
The Speedy Tigers will play two group matches at Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela against the Dutch on January 14 and Chile on January 16, before taking on New Zealand in Bhubaneswar on January 19.
The national team will make their ninth appearance in the World Cup since it was introduced in 1971, with their best achievement being fourth place in the 1975 edition that Malaysia hosted.
The 2023 edition will be Malaysia's third straight appearance in the World Cup after 2014 (12th placing) and 2018 (15th placing). – Bernama, January 5, 2023