KUALA LUMPUR – National hockey head coach Sarjit Singh has hit back at critics who “act like professors in hockey” without being involved in the system, defending both his team’s performance and world ranking.
The Speedy Tigers secured their place at the World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium, set for 14–30 August, following a tense qualifying campaign in Ismailia, Egypt last week.
Malaysia edged China 5–4 in their final group match, before suffering a heavy 7–1 semi-final defeat to England. In the third-place playoff against Japan, the team narrowly lost 4–5 in a thrilling encounter.
Thanks to Malaysia’s world ranking, the team clinched a World Cup berth as the highest-ranked fourth-placed side across all qualifiers, surpassing rivals such as Wales and Poland.
However, consecutive losses to lower-ranked teams saw Malaysia slip to 15th in the world, the lowest ranking for the national team in over a decade, prompting criticism from some quarters.
Speaking to Scoop, Sarjit expressed frustration over the negativity despite the team achieving its main objective.
“In the Nations Cup last year, we were ranked 12th in the world. Nobody said anything then. But now, suddenly, because we qualified for the World Cup, people are asking why our ranking has dropped. Malaysian hockey doesn’t need negative remarks; we need positive support,” he said.
He emphasised that ranking fluctuations are natural and should not overshadow the achievement of qualifying.
“Rankings go up and down. The most important thing is that our flag will be at the World Cup. The boys have worked hard to get here, and they deserve support, not criticism,” he said.
Sarjit also pointed to the team’s strong performances against tough opposition.
“We won against Austria, and we lost the second game against Pakistan. That was our match. We had eight penalty corners and we scored only one. They had one and they scored one. The whole game was controlled by us. Only lapses of concentration cost us,” he said.
Looking ahead, the coach highlighted plans for preparation and strengthening the squad.
“First, we need to work hard. We need to work very hard for the next six months because we have the Nations Cup, the World Cup, and the Asian Games. We must start working very hard to get more players into the team because we need a bigger pool of players, which we already have. Now we need to get the right players. That is very important,” he said.
Sarjit was candid about the pressures his team faces and the unrealistic expectations from outsiders.
“Some people think they are professors in hockey. Before they talk like that, they must first ask themselves what they have done for the country,” he said.
“Malaysian hockey is not just my team or your team. It is our national team. If we do not support the team, it will be disappointing. The most important thing is to focus on preparing the boys for major tournaments,” he added.
“The boys have worked hard. We qualified for the World Cup. This is a Malaysian thing. Everybody must support the team and give positive energy, instead of trying to find faults. That is what is most important right now,” he said.
On team preparations, Sarjit outlined the schedule for the coming months.
“We are trying to get the boys together once or twice a week, maybe three times, to do physical sessions and one hockey session. We have received very good support from all the domestic team coaches around the country.
“Of course, the other players from private clubs are also supporting us. Now we have just come back, so we will let them start training with their clubs first. Then we will speak again with the coaches because the National League is also important,” he said. - March 14, 2026
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