Coach K. Dharmaraj said yesterday that Sukri was unable to play in the tournament because he had to sit for his Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) examinations beginning today.
“He wanted to sit for the exams after the tournament but the university did not allow him to do so,” he said.
“He is a hardworking player and we will miss his services. He scored the winning goal for us against Tenaga Nasional (3-2) in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) last week.”
Dharmaraj added that skipper and forward Azlan Misron would take over Sukri’s midfield role.
“Azlan has the experience of playing in this position and we hope that he can combine well with Shahrun (Nabil) and Kelvinder (Singh),’’ Dharmaraj said.
Ernst and Young, who have 16 players from the national training squad in their ranks, will open their Group A campaign against the National Juniors today.
Their other opponents in the group are Royal Thai Air Force. Group B comprises Pakistan’s Olympian Village Club, Adijon of Uzbekistan and the Singapore Recreation Club.
Dharmaraj said that he had warned his players not to take the Juniors lightly.
“We beat them 7-0 in an early MHL match but they have improved with every match and we can expect it to be tough against them this time.
“Our target is to win the tournament and I hope the players will rise to the occasion and give their best, ’’ Dharmaraj said.
The winners of the top two groups will play in the final Sunday and Dharmaraj said that the Pakistanis club would start as favourites to win Group B.
The champions of the tournament will represent Asia in the inaugural World Cup for clubs in Spain in January.
Malaysia hosted the inaugural ACC tournament in 1991 and Maybank emerged as the champions.
The second edition was held in Karachi in 1993 and Hyohito of Japan were the winners.
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