Latest news with #JWC
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Junior hockey team need more matches before World Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: The national youth hockey team are racing against time in their bid to be ready for the men's Junior World Cup (JWC) in India from Nov 28-Dec 10. Coach Nor Saiful Zaini believes his squad need at least 60 matches to be tournament-ready, but they've played just 13 so far, with four months to go. As part of their preparations, the junior Tigers will head to Perth from Aug 3-15, where they'll play six matches — three each against the Western Australian junior and senior sides. They will then travel to China to take on Liaoning in another six-match series. Following that, Malaysia will play in the prestigious Sultan of Johor Cup (SoJC) in Johor from Oct 11-18 — a six-nation tournament featuring Britain (defending champions), Australia, India, New Zealand and Ireland. Saiful will bring 22 of his 25 players to Perth, but is sweating on the fitness of two key men — Adam Ashraf Johari and Aqil Danial Mat Ruslee. Midfielder Adam, who played in the 2023 JWC in Bukit Jalil, is sidelined with a wrist injury, while defender Aqil, a mainstay during the Junior Asia Cup in Oman, is recovering from a knee injury. "The matches in Perth will give my players good exposure," said Saiful. Malaysia have been drawn in a tough Group E at the JWC alongside the Netherlands, England and Austria. In the 2023 edition, Malaysia finished 12th out of 16 teams.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Junior hockey team face rush job for World Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: The national youth hockey team are racing against time in their bid to be ready for the men's Junior World Cup (JWC) in India from Nov 28-Dec 10. Coach Nor Saiful Zaini believes his squad need at least 60 matches to be tournament-ready, but they've played just 13 so far, with four months to part of their preparations, the junior Tigers will head to Perth from Aug 3-15, where they'll play six matches — three each against the Western Australian junior and senior sides. They will then travel to China to take on Liaoning in another six-match that, Malaysia will play in the prestigious Sultan of Johor Cup (SoJC) in Johor from Oct 11-18 — a six-nation tournament featuring Britain (defending champions), Australia, India, New Zealand and Ireland. Saiful will bring 22 of his 25 players to Perth, but is sweating on the fitness of two key men — Adam Ashraf Johari and Aqil Danial Mat Adam, who played in the 2023 JWC in Bukit Jalil, is sidelined with a wrist injury, while defender Aqil, a mainstay during the Junior Asia Cup in Oman, is recovering from a knee injury. "The matches in Perth will give my players good exposure," said have been drawn in a tough Group E at the JWC alongside the Netherlands, England and Austria. In the 2023 edition, Malaysia finished 12th out of 16 teams.
New Straits Times
19-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysia team learn more from Murugappa Gold Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: The national junior hockey team continued to gain match experience at the 96th All India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup in Chennai recently. They lost to Indian Navy 4-1, edged Central Board of Direct Taxes 4-3, lost 2-0 to Indian Oil Corporation and drew 3-3 with Hockey Karnataka. The national juniors finished fourth in their group and failed to qualify for the semi-finals. The Malaysian team are preparing for the Under-21 Junior World Cup (JWC) in Chennai and Madurai, India, from Nov 28-Dec 10. Coach Nor Saiful Zaini said his boys gained valuable experience, playing against senior players in the Murugappa Gold Cup. "The team need to improve their fitness. We need to play 40 matches before the JWC. To date we have played 13 matches — four matches in the Murugappa Cup, six against Liaoning Province in China, one against the national senior team and two against club sides. "We will either go to China or Australia to play more matches in preparation for the JWC," said Saiful. Malaysia are drawn in Group E with the Netherlands, England and Austria in the JWC.
New Straits Times
30-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
No target for Malaysia in Madurai and Chennai
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) has not set any target for the Junior World Cup (JWC) in Madurai and Chennai, India, from Nov 29-Dec 10. Malaysia are drawn in Group E with the Netherlands, England and Austria in the 24-team JWC. MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said that is because there is no long term training programme to prepare the current national junior team for this. "More than 10 years ago we had a four-year training programme and also had money to prepare a good team which finished fourth in the JWC under coach K. Dharmaraj (in New Delhi in 2013). But for the 2027 JWC, the MHC plans to have a well prepared team. "We need to plan long term for the juniors for the 2027 JWC. Nor Saiful Zaini will be in charge of the Under-18 team for 2027. "We are going to keep the players for the next two years and we are also going to look for more talent for the 2027 JWC." Meanwhile, Nor Saiful said his team have a semi-finals target in the boys' Under-18 Asia Cup in Dazhou, China. Malaysia are drawn in Group B with Japan, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Indonesia and Kazakhstan while Group A comprises Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong.
New Straits Times
29-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Eswaran and Syakir impress coach in Dalian
KUALA LUMPUR: Forward Eswaran George and defender Nor Syakir Saini impressed coach Nor Saiful Zaini during the national junior hockey team's recent playing tour to Dalian City, China. The team, preparing for the Junior World Cup (JWC) in India from Nov 28-Dec 10, played six friendlies with the Liaoning Province team coached by former South Korean coach Kim Sang Ryul. Thirty-two national juniors have been training under Saiful since last month. Saiful said that Eswaran and Syakir captured his heart with their performances in the friendly matches. "The duo have shown maturity in their game and they deserve to be in the Junior World Cup squad," said Saiful. Eswaran made his Malaysia debut in the Sultan of Johor Cup in 2023. Syakir has received his first national call-up. Saiful said he took 24 juniors to Dalian City, but only half of the team showed the ability to play matches while the others were inexperienced. Saiful's team will compete in the Murugappa Gold Cup in Chennai, India, from July 10-20. "We will be playing against clubs in the tournament. The players need as much exposure as they can to prepare for the JWC."
