Fixtures and Result
for Thursday 29 November
16:05 GBR : NED 0:4
18:05 GER : PAK 5:2
18:35 KOR : ESP 2:2
20:05 MAS : AUS 0:2
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Dutch on spying mission at Champions Trophy
Defending champions Holland will use the Samsung Champions Trophy hockey tournament scheduled for Nov 29-Dec 9 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil to gather information on their rivals ahead of the Beijing Olympics next year.
Team manager Robert van Maasakker said yesterday that winning the tournament would not be their priority.
“It is more important for us to gather data on our opponents and also to test our players fully so that our preparations will be complete before we head to Beijing,” he said.
Holland, who have won Olympic gold twice in 1996 and 2000, qualified for the Beijing Games as winners of the European Championships earlier this year. Their coach of the 2000-winning team Roelant Altmans is back at the helm.
Van Maasakker added that the tournament in Kuala Lumpur would be tough as they had to play eight matches in a space of 11 days.
“But we are happy that we will get top quality matches. It's hot and humid here and the rule allowing teams to register 18 players for a match is good,” he said.
Van Maasakker pointed to the fact that top teams would get to play in two Champions Trophy tournaments before either the Olympics or the World Cup.
“Usually, there is one. But we now have one in KL and another in Holland in June. The Olympics will be held in August. We are not complaining ... the top teams will certainly benefit from them,” he said.
The Dutch have made four changes to the team who won the European Championship. The youngsters coming into the team are Jeroen Hertzberger (21), Quiryn Casper (20), Wouter Hermkwens (21) and Klass Vwemeullen (20).
Holland will open their campaign against Britain on Nov 29 followed by matches against Malaysia, Spain, South Korea, Germany, Australia and Pakistan. Their opponents who have yet to qualify for the Olympics are Germany, Britain and Malaysia.
Team manager Robert van Maasakker said yesterday that winning the tournament would not be their priority.
“It is more important for us to gather data on our opponents and also to test our players fully so that our preparations will be complete before we head to Beijing,” he said.
Holland, who have won Olympic gold twice in 1996 and 2000, qualified for the Beijing Games as winners of the European Championships earlier this year. Their coach of the 2000-winning team Roelant Altmans is back at the helm.
Van Maasakker added that the tournament in Kuala Lumpur would be tough as they had to play eight matches in a space of 11 days.
“But we are happy that we will get top quality matches. It's hot and humid here and the rule allowing teams to register 18 players for a match is good,” he said.
Van Maasakker pointed to the fact that top teams would get to play in two Champions Trophy tournaments before either the Olympics or the World Cup.
“Usually, there is one. But we now have one in KL and another in Holland in June. The Olympics will be held in August. We are not complaining ... the top teams will certainly benefit from them,” he said.
The Dutch have made four changes to the team who won the European Championship. The youngsters coming into the team are Jeroen Hertzberger (21), Quiryn Casper (20), Wouter Hermkwens (21) and Klass Vwemeullen (20).
Holland will open their campaign against Britain on Nov 29 followed by matches against Malaysia, Spain, South Korea, Germany, Australia and Pakistan. Their opponents who have yet to qualify for the Olympics are Germany, Britain and Malaysia.
Free admission for Champions Trophy
Samsung Champions Trophy tournament will be played
at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil from Nov 29-Dec 9.
at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil from Nov 29-Dec 9.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Asia Cup squad to head challenge at Champions Trophy
Sixteen players from the bronze medal-winning side at the Asia Cup in August have retained their places in the national team for the Samsung Champions Trophy hockey tournament, which will be played at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil from Nov 20-Dec 9.
But defender Zulkifli Rejab, who is down with a leg injury, was left out of the squad of 20 named by the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) selection committee yesterday.
Out: Defender Zulkifli Rejab left out due to injury.
And the committee in their meeting, which was chaired by the MHF deputy president, Tunku Abdul Majid Idris, decided against naming two additional players.
Midfielder Nabil Fiqri Mohamed Nor is the replacement for Zulkifli. Forwards Hafifihafiz Hanafi and Mohamed Razie Abdul Rahim also made the grade. Nabil and Razie were dropped from the team to the Asia Cup. Hafifihafiz was also not among the final 18 but made the trip to India.
Goalkeeper Khairulnizam Ibrahim, who did not play in the Asia Cup due to illness, is back in the team – replacing Mohamed Hanafi Hassan.
National coach Sarjit Singh said that those not in the final 20 will continue to train with the team for the Champions Trophy.
“The final squad will focus more on set plays. We also have four practice matches line up against China and Canada. These matches will allow us to fine tune the moves before our opening match against Australia on Nov 29,” he said.
“The rest will be doing a lot of physical workouts and we will name the team for the SEA Games later.”
Sarjit added that Zulkifli would remain in the training squad and undergo treatment.
The Champions Trophy is part of the national team's preparations for the Olympic qualifiers in Japan next year.
Besides Australia, the other opponents for Malaysia are Germany, Holland, Spain, South Korea, Pakistan and Britain.
Malaysia are playing in the top flight tournament by virtue of being the hosts. Pakistan were to be the host but the international federation (FIH) withdrew the tournament from them because of security reasons.
“We will get quality matches. With a round-robin format and a classification match, we are assured of at least eight quality matches,” said Sarjit.
Of the eight teams in the fray, three have yet to qualify for the Beijing Olympics. They are two-time world champions Germany, Malaysia and Britain.
But defender Zulkifli Rejab, who is down with a leg injury, was left out of the squad of 20 named by the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) selection committee yesterday.
Out: Defender Zulkifli Rejab left out due to injury.
And the committee in their meeting, which was chaired by the MHF deputy president, Tunku Abdul Majid Idris, decided against naming two additional players.
Midfielder Nabil Fiqri Mohamed Nor is the replacement for Zulkifli. Forwards Hafifihafiz Hanafi and Mohamed Razie Abdul Rahim also made the grade. Nabil and Razie were dropped from the team to the Asia Cup. Hafifihafiz was also not among the final 18 but made the trip to India.
Goalkeeper Khairulnizam Ibrahim, who did not play in the Asia Cup due to illness, is back in the team – replacing Mohamed Hanafi Hassan.
National coach Sarjit Singh said that those not in the final 20 will continue to train with the team for the Champions Trophy.
“The final squad will focus more on set plays. We also have four practice matches line up against China and Canada. These matches will allow us to fine tune the moves before our opening match against Australia on Nov 29,” he said.
“The rest will be doing a lot of physical workouts and we will name the team for the SEA Games later.”
Sarjit added that Zulkifli would remain in the training squad and undergo treatment.
The Champions Trophy is part of the national team's preparations for the Olympic qualifiers in Japan next year.
Besides Australia, the other opponents for Malaysia are Germany, Holland, Spain, South Korea, Pakistan and Britain.
Malaysia are playing in the top flight tournament by virtue of being the hosts. Pakistan were to be the host but the international federation (FIH) withdrew the tournament from them because of security reasons.
“We will get quality matches. With a round-robin format and a classification match, we are assured of at least eight quality matches,” said Sarjit.
Of the eight teams in the fray, three have yet to qualify for the Beijing Olympics. They are two-time world champions Germany, Malaysia and Britain.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Johor sedia jadi tuan rumah
Johor bersedia untuk menggalas tanggungjawab menjadi tuan rumah bersama Singapura untuk Kejohanan Piala Dunia Hoki Bawah 19 pada tahun 2009.
Menteri Besar Johor, Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman berkata, buat ketika ini, kerja-kerja pembinaan stadium hoki yang baru di Taman Daya sedang berjalan lancar.
Katanya lagi, pihaknya turut merancang untuk membina sebuah stadium hoki baru dengan kapasiti 5,000 penonton di Padang Sri Gelam bagi menjayakan kejohanan yang akan berlangsung dua tahun lagi itu.
“Kami akan membangunkan stadium yang lebih lengkap sebagaimana Stadium Hoki Azlan Shah di Ipoh.
“Padangnya juga akan lebih berkualiti dengan ia mirip kepada padang hoki astroturf di Australia,” katanya pada sidang akhbar di Jamuan Aidilfitri anjuran Danga Bay Sdn. Bhd. di Teluk Danga di sini semalam.
Menurut Abdul Ghani, peruntukan bagi pembinaan stadium hoki di Taman Daya yang dijangka selesai tahun hadapan itu mendapat pembiayaan daripada syarikat pemaju yang kini mengambil alih Stadium Hoki Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru di Jalan Tun Razak.
Menteri Besar Johor, Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman berkata, buat ketika ini, kerja-kerja pembinaan stadium hoki yang baru di Taman Daya sedang berjalan lancar.
Katanya lagi, pihaknya turut merancang untuk membina sebuah stadium hoki baru dengan kapasiti 5,000 penonton di Padang Sri Gelam bagi menjayakan kejohanan yang akan berlangsung dua tahun lagi itu.
“Kami akan membangunkan stadium yang lebih lengkap sebagaimana Stadium Hoki Azlan Shah di Ipoh.
“Padangnya juga akan lebih berkualiti dengan ia mirip kepada padang hoki astroturf di Australia,” katanya pada sidang akhbar di Jamuan Aidilfitri anjuran Danga Bay Sdn. Bhd. di Teluk Danga di sini semalam.
Menurut Abdul Ghani, peruntukan bagi pembinaan stadium hoki di Taman Daya yang dijangka selesai tahun hadapan itu mendapat pembiayaan daripada syarikat pemaju yang kini mengambil alih Stadium Hoki Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru di Jalan Tun Razak.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
2010 Men’s Hockey World Cup to be staged in New Delhi
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced during a special press conference on Wednesday that FIH’s premier event, the 12th Men’s Hockey World Cup, played by the 12 top nations, will in principle be staged in New Delhi over two weeks in February 2010 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Hockey Stadium.
The Hockey World Cup was first held in Barcelona, Spain in 1971, when Pakistan won the title. Since then the event has travelled to nine countries and seen five different winners hold the Cup aloft. India hosted the Men’s Hockey World Cup in 1982 in Mumbai.
The 2010 Hockey World Cup will be a joint venture between FIH and the Indian Hockey Confederation (IHC) and is a result of the ‘Project Promoting Indian Hockey’, a new initiative between the FIH and the IHC, aimed to return Indian Hockey, men and women, to the world’s highest level. The World Cup Governing Board was also announced with former Dutch International André Bolhuis as Chairman. K Jothikumaran is appointed as interim Chair of the Organizing Committee.
Final confirmation of the decision to stage the Hockey World Cup in 2010 will be taken in March 2008 and will depend upon achievement of set targets both in relation to the Project and the organization of the World Cup.
‘This is a special day for the FIH and Indian Hockey’, FIH President Els van Breda Vriesman said. ‘We are delighted to be back in India with the World Cup for the first time since 1982. The improvement of Indian Hockey is critical for the sport’s future, both in India and internationally.’
‘It is our great wish that the IHC demonstrates the commitment and passion to deliver this landmark event. The Hockey World Cup is the FIH’s highest profile event. It is our goal that the 2010 World Cup will be the most successful event in the history of hockey – that is the challenge we have set ourselves’, the FIH President said.
‘The IHC is extremely pleased that the FIH decided to entrust the organization of the World Cup to India’, IHC President KPS Gill stated. ‘It is a great honor for the country and we must now work with diligence and spirit to repay the faith that has been shown in Indian Hockey. The IHC is fully committed to the Project and to the success of the World Cup. We will do our utmost to meet the expectations of the world governing body to ensure the event is a success and also the expectations of the Indian sporting public to witness the return of our team to the podium in a major event.’
The Hockey World Cup was first held in Barcelona, Spain in 1971, when Pakistan won the title. Since then the event has travelled to nine countries and seen five different winners hold the Cup aloft. India hosted the Men’s Hockey World Cup in 1982 in Mumbai.
The 2010 Hockey World Cup will be a joint venture between FIH and the Indian Hockey Confederation (IHC) and is a result of the ‘Project Promoting Indian Hockey’, a new initiative between the FIH and the IHC, aimed to return Indian Hockey, men and women, to the world’s highest level. The World Cup Governing Board was also announced with former Dutch International André Bolhuis as Chairman. K Jothikumaran is appointed as interim Chair of the Organizing Committee.
Final confirmation of the decision to stage the Hockey World Cup in 2010 will be taken in March 2008 and will depend upon achievement of set targets both in relation to the Project and the organization of the World Cup.
‘This is a special day for the FIH and Indian Hockey’, FIH President Els van Breda Vriesman said. ‘We are delighted to be back in India with the World Cup for the first time since 1982. The improvement of Indian Hockey is critical for the sport’s future, both in India and internationally.’
‘It is our great wish that the IHC demonstrates the commitment and passion to deliver this landmark event. The Hockey World Cup is the FIH’s highest profile event. It is our goal that the 2010 World Cup will be the most successful event in the history of hockey – that is the challenge we have set ourselves’, the FIH President said.
‘The IHC is extremely pleased that the FIH decided to entrust the organization of the World Cup to India’, IHC President KPS Gill stated. ‘It is a great honor for the country and we must now work with diligence and spirit to repay the faith that has been shown in Indian Hockey. The IHC is fully committed to the Project and to the success of the World Cup. We will do our utmost to meet the expectations of the world governing body to ensure the event is a success and also the expectations of the Indian sporting public to witness the return of our team to the podium in a major event.’
Great Britain names squad for Samsung Champions Trophy
Great Britain Head Coach Jason Lee has selected his 20 players to participate in the Samsung Champions Trophy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 29 November – 9 December 2007.
Lee is looking forward to the challenge the Samsung Champions Trophy presents playing against the best teams in the world. ‘8 games in 11 days will certainly test the mental and physical capabilities of this group’, he said. ‘However they have worked hard and I believe they will cope well.’
‘We are hoping to see the hard work of the past month pay dividends and the tournament will provide us we a great deal of information before we travel to South Africa in January to continue our preparation for the Olympic Qualifying tournament in Chile.’
There are 4 new caps named in the squad.
The FIH have agreed for this tournament only, participating teams can select 20 players and name 18 players for each game, this is due to the extreme conditions expected in Kuala Lumpur and with the number of games in such a short period of time.
Great Britain will travel on 17 November and will spend that time training and playing three warm up games against Canada on 22 and 23 November and Germany on 27 November.
Selection Great Britain:
Richard Alexander, Jon Bleby, Jonty Clarke, Matt Daly, Stephen Dick, James Fair, Brett Garrard, Ben Hawes, Ashley Jackson, Glenn Kirkham, Richard Mantell, Simon Mantell, Ben Marsden, Alistair McGregor, Barry Middleton, Graham Moodie, Rob Moore, Mark Ralph, James Tindall, Alastair Wilson.
George Pinner will travel with the team to train with the squad before returning home on the 29th November.
Source: Great Britain Hockey ltd.
Lee is looking forward to the challenge the Samsung Champions Trophy presents playing against the best teams in the world. ‘8 games in 11 days will certainly test the mental and physical capabilities of this group’, he said. ‘However they have worked hard and I believe they will cope well.’
‘We are hoping to see the hard work of the past month pay dividends and the tournament will provide us we a great deal of information before we travel to South Africa in January to continue our preparation for the Olympic Qualifying tournament in Chile.’
There are 4 new caps named in the squad.
The FIH have agreed for this tournament only, participating teams can select 20 players and name 18 players for each game, this is due to the extreme conditions expected in Kuala Lumpur and with the number of games in such a short period of time.
Great Britain will travel on 17 November and will spend that time training and playing three warm up games against Canada on 22 and 23 November and Germany on 27 November.
Selection Great Britain:
Richard Alexander, Jon Bleby, Jonty Clarke, Matt Daly, Stephen Dick, James Fair, Brett Garrard, Ben Hawes, Ashley Jackson, Glenn Kirkham, Richard Mantell, Simon Mantell, Ben Marsden, Alistair McGregor, Barry Middleton, Graham Moodie, Rob Moore, Mark Ralph, James Tindall, Alastair Wilson.
George Pinner will travel with the team to train with the squad before returning home on the 29th November.
Source: Great Britain Hockey ltd.
PHF names squad for Samsung Champions Trophy
Goalkeeper Salman Akbar will lead Pakistan in the forthcoming Samsung Champions Trophy to be held at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 29 November until 9 December. Forward Rehan Butt who had led the team in Asia Cup at Chennai this year was dropped and at the same time chief coach Islahuddin Siddiqui was replaced by national chief selector former Olympian Zakauddin as chief coach and team manager. Islah’s replacement came in the wake of his foot injury which the chief coach had sustained during a training session last week.
However, PHF has made it clear that Islah will resume his national duty as chief coach after the Samsung Champions Trophy.
Pakistan team members:
Salman Akbar (captain), Zeeshan Ashraf (V.Captain), Muhammad Imran, Imran Khan, Adnan Maqsood, Dilawar Hussain, Waqas Sharif, Waqas Akbar, Shakeel Abbasi, Muhammad Arshad, Haider Abbas, Nasir Ahmed, Kashif Ali, Ghazanfar Ali, Muhammad Inayat Ullah, Akhtar Ali, Shabbir Khan, Anwar Sajjad, Muhammad Kamran, Muhammad Afzal.
Team manager: Zakauddin. Coach: Manzoor-ul-Hassan
Source: PHF
However, PHF has made it clear that Islah will resume his national duty as chief coach after the Samsung Champions Trophy.
Pakistan team members:
Salman Akbar (captain), Zeeshan Ashraf (V.Captain), Muhammad Imran, Imran Khan, Adnan Maqsood, Dilawar Hussain, Waqas Sharif, Waqas Akbar, Shakeel Abbasi, Muhammad Arshad, Haider Abbas, Nasir Ahmed, Kashif Ali, Ghazanfar Ali, Muhammad Inayat Ullah, Akhtar Ali, Shabbir Khan, Anwar Sajjad, Muhammad Kamran, Muhammad Afzal.
Team manager: Zakauddin. Coach: Manzoor-ul-Hassan
Source: PHF
Selection Netherlands for Samsung Champions Trophy
Dutch national team coach released the names of the 20 players who will participate in the Samsung Champions Trophy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 29 November until 9 December 2007. Like most of the coaches, Oltmans also decided to take 20 players with him to the event in Malaysia.
Team Netherlands
Guus Vogels (GK), Jaap Stockmann (GK), Taeke Taekema, Robert van der Horst, Thomas Boerma, Geert-Jan Derikx, Wouter Jolie, Wouter Hermkens, Jeroen Delmee, Teun de Nooijer, Timme Hoyng, Eby Kessing, Floris Evers, Laurence Docherty, Rob Reckers, Matthijs Brouwer, Ronald Brouwer, Quirijn Caspers, Jeroen Hertzberger, Rogier Hofman.
Source: KNHB
Team Netherlands
Guus Vogels (GK), Jaap Stockmann (GK), Taeke Taekema, Robert van der Horst, Thomas Boerma, Geert-Jan Derikx, Wouter Jolie, Wouter Hermkens, Jeroen Delmee, Teun de Nooijer, Timme Hoyng, Eby Kessing, Floris Evers, Laurence Docherty, Rob Reckers, Matthijs Brouwer, Ronald Brouwer, Quirijn Caspers, Jeroen Hertzberger, Rogier Hofman.
Source: KNHB
Free admission for Champions Trophy
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian hockey fans are in for a treat. There will be no admission fee to matches in the Samsung Champions Trophy tournament, which will be played at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil from Nov 29-Dec 9.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) president, Tan Sri Anwar Mohd Nor, made this announcement at the launch of the tournament website and sponsorship cheque presentation at the Palace of the Golden Horses here yesterday.
“We want to encourage fans to watch high-level hockey played by the eight top teams in the world,” said Anwar.
He added that it would defeat the purpose if such fare were to be played in an empty stadium and they would get students of several schools and employees of government agencies in the Klang Valley to attend the matches.
“We will also provide transport for some of the schoolchildren and we hope that we can at least get half the stadium filled. We have found it difficult in the past to fill the stadium unless it is the semi-finals or final,” said Anwar.
He added that fans outside the Klang Valley could also follow the matches live on the website (www.championstrophy2007.com) and television.
The tournament features eight teams – defending champions Holland, world champions Germany, Olympic champions Australia, Spain, South Korea, Britain, Pakistan and Malaysia.
The tournament will be played in a round-robin format with the top two finishers qualifying for the final.
Britain will play against Holland in the opening match.
The other matches on the opening day are: Germany vs Pakistan, South Korea vs Spain and Malaysia vs Australia. Malaysia are the lowest ranked team at number 15 in the world.
On the hosting of the tournament on a short three-month notice, Anwar said that it would not have been possible if not for their sponsors.
“A tourney of this magnitude would not be possible unless we have strong partners,” he said of the RM1 million budget needed to host it.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) president, Tan Sri Anwar Mohd Nor, made this announcement at the launch of the tournament website and sponsorship cheque presentation at the Palace of the Golden Horses here yesterday.
“We want to encourage fans to watch high-level hockey played by the eight top teams in the world,” said Anwar.
He added that it would defeat the purpose if such fare were to be played in an empty stadium and they would get students of several schools and employees of government agencies in the Klang Valley to attend the matches.
“We will also provide transport for some of the schoolchildren and we hope that we can at least get half the stadium filled. We have found it difficult in the past to fill the stadium unless it is the semi-finals or final,” said Anwar.
He added that fans outside the Klang Valley could also follow the matches live on the website (www.championstrophy2007.com) and television.
The tournament features eight teams – defending champions Holland, world champions Germany, Olympic champions Australia, Spain, South Korea, Britain, Pakistan and Malaysia.
The tournament will be played in a round-robin format with the top two finishers qualifying for the final.
Britain will play against Holland in the opening match.
The other matches on the opening day are: Germany vs Pakistan, South Korea vs Spain and Malaysia vs Australia. Malaysia are the lowest ranked team at number 15 in the world.
On the hosting of the tournament on a short three-month notice, Anwar said that it would not have been possible if not for their sponsors.
“A tourney of this magnitude would not be possible unless we have strong partners,” he said of the RM1 million budget needed to host it.
Australia ujian pertama -- Hoki Trofi Juara-Juara
KUALA LUMPUR - Skuad hoki negara membuka kempen Trofi Juara-Juara di Stadium Hoki Nasional, Bukit Jalil dengan menentang juara Olimpik, Australia pada 29 November ini.
Ini akan diikuti perlawanan kedua menentang juara bertahan, Belanda pada 30 November ini sebelum menentang juara dunia, Jerman pada 6 Disember ini.
Sebagai pasukan yang menyertai pertandingan ini atas tiket sebagai tuan rumah `bidan terjun’, skuad muda Malaysia yang dibimbing Sarjit Singh pastinya menjadikan kejohanan ini sebagai persiapan menghadapi pusingan kelayakan Olimpik pada April tahun depan.
“Kita akan turun sebagai pasukan underdog memandangkan tujuh pasukan lain yang menyertainya adalah yang terbaik di dunia ketika ini.
“Kita tidak meletakkan sebarang sasaran kerana kita perlu realistik memandangkan Malaysia berada pada ranking ke-13 dunia ketika ini.
“Cuma matlamat kita adalah ambil bahagian dan mempamerkan persembahan terbaik untuk menyaingi pasukan handalan dunia,” kata Presiden PHM, Tan Sri Anwar Mohd. Nor, semalam.
Menurutnya, Malaysia akan turun berbekalkan reputasi sebagai finalis Piala Sultan Azlan Shah dan tempat ketiga Piala Asia.
“Ini adalah pendedahan terbaik kepada pemain muda kita untuk bermain dengan pemain dan pasukan terbaik dunia,” tegasnya.
Sementara itu, Sarjit berkata, barisan pemain skuad negara akan diumumkan tidak lama lagi kerana ketika ini pemilihan masih dijalankan.
“Kita ada 30 pemain untuk menghadapi Trofi Juara-Juara ini. Hanya 18 pemain akan disenaraikan,” tegasnya.
Selain Malaysia, tujuh negara yang layak secara merit menyertai trofi juara-juara ini adalah Belanda, Australia, Jerman, Korea Selatan, Pakistan, Sepanyol dan England.
Ini akan diikuti perlawanan kedua menentang juara bertahan, Belanda pada 30 November ini sebelum menentang juara dunia, Jerman pada 6 Disember ini.
Sebagai pasukan yang menyertai pertandingan ini atas tiket sebagai tuan rumah `bidan terjun’, skuad muda Malaysia yang dibimbing Sarjit Singh pastinya menjadikan kejohanan ini sebagai persiapan menghadapi pusingan kelayakan Olimpik pada April tahun depan.
“Kita akan turun sebagai pasukan underdog memandangkan tujuh pasukan lain yang menyertainya adalah yang terbaik di dunia ketika ini.
“Kita tidak meletakkan sebarang sasaran kerana kita perlu realistik memandangkan Malaysia berada pada ranking ke-13 dunia ketika ini.
“Cuma matlamat kita adalah ambil bahagian dan mempamerkan persembahan terbaik untuk menyaingi pasukan handalan dunia,” kata Presiden PHM, Tan Sri Anwar Mohd. Nor, semalam.
Menurutnya, Malaysia akan turun berbekalkan reputasi sebagai finalis Piala Sultan Azlan Shah dan tempat ketiga Piala Asia.
“Ini adalah pendedahan terbaik kepada pemain muda kita untuk bermain dengan pemain dan pasukan terbaik dunia,” tegasnya.
Sementara itu, Sarjit berkata, barisan pemain skuad negara akan diumumkan tidak lama lagi kerana ketika ini pemilihan masih dijalankan.
“Kita ada 30 pemain untuk menghadapi Trofi Juara-Juara ini. Hanya 18 pemain akan disenaraikan,” tegasnya.
Selain Malaysia, tujuh negara yang layak secara merit menyertai trofi juara-juara ini adalah Belanda, Australia, Jerman, Korea Selatan, Pakistan, Sepanyol dan England.
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