After ending up finishing a mere fifth last year, the Malaysian junior hockey squad have started preparing for this year’s Sultan Johor Cup, hoping that it would help them do better.
Head coach Arul Selvaraj said that his boys will be heading to Johor Bahru today to further adapt themselves with the field conditions, ahead of their opening match at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium.
“Actually our training went on as usual during the league. We were fortunate enough to be able to train 2 days a week, allowing the players to concentrate on their league as well.
“All I want is for the players to adapt to the field condition, besides continuing our training sessions in Johor for five days,” he told Arena Metro.
The fifth edition of Johor Sultan Cup will feature five more teams beside the national squad, with defending champions India joined by Pakistan, Australia, Britain and Argentina.
The junior team’s best achievement was in 2011, where they emerged champions under the guidance of Muhammad Dhaarma Raj Abdullah.
WHAT DO WE THINK?
The Sultan Johor Cup will be crucial for the national side to make a mark, ahead of next year’s Junior World Cup. As teams like India and Pakistan taking part, Malaysia have a really good opportunity here to prove themselves. Coach Arul Selvaraj has surely done his part and now its left for the players to continue impressing if they would want to repeat 2011’s triumph.
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