MHL : Coach Rajan relishes tough tests for National Juniors

The National Juniors have four tough matches to play in a week in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL).

But coach K. Rajan is not complaining. Instead, he is taking the matches as good tests for his side’s preparation for the Junior World Cup Finals, which Malaysia and Singapore will co-host from June 7-21.

“It will be a test of fitness and mental strength. I will also get to know how well the boys cope with the pressure of having to play four tough matches in seven days,’’ he said.

The Juniors are in the fifth spot of the six-team Division One standings with five points from five matches and they will take on Maybank today at the Seremban II Hockey Stadium.

They will play against defending league champions Ernst and Young on Friday and against Sapura on Sunday. They wrap up their league fixtures against Nur Insafi next Wednesday.

Rajan is looking at his team to chalk up two wins from the four matches.

“My players have improved in every match and we will go all out to get a win against Maybank. We gave them a good fight in the first match before going down 2-3,’’ he said.

Rajan added that they would have the services of defender and penalty corner flicker Mohd Nor Hafiq Abdul Gaffar, who has recovered from a knee injury.

“I am banking on him to deliver the goals against Maybank. We are also hoping to collect three points against Nur Insafi as we defeated them 2-1 in the first match,’’ he said.

The Juniors are resuming action in the MHL after featuring in the Asian Club Champions tournament last week.