KUALA LUMPUR – The Young Tigers are riding high on confidence and composure following commanding victories over China and Oman, said national junior hockey head coach I. Vikneswaran.
Malaysia’s Junior Asia Cup (JAC) campaign kicked off with a 5–2 win against China, followed by an emphatic 9–1 triumph over Oman, propelling them to the top of Group B and boosting their chances of reaching the semi-finals.
Their success has been bolstered by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation’s (MHC) strategic decision to recruit Sohail Abbas, the ‘King of Drag Flicks,’ in October.
Under his guidance, the team has displayed remarkable efficiency in penalty corners, earning 13 chances in two matches and converting seven—a notable 53.84% success rate.
Malaysia is set to face Bangladesh on Saturday and Pakistan on Sunday in their remaining pool matches.
Speaking to Scoop from Muscat, Vikneswaran expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance but urged them to stay focused to achieve their dual objectives: qualifying for the Junior World Cup (JWC) and finishing as high as possible in the tournament.
“The matches against Oman and China were crucial in setting the team’s momentum. The game against China was our seventh since coming together, and Oman was our eighth.
“We scored some excellent goals, especially from penalty corners, which is very encouraging.
“We are aiming for two objectives in this tournament: to qualify for the JWC and finish as high as possible. But we’re taking it one step at a time. While scoring goals is important for a buffer, the three points matter most. These results have given the boys confidence and composure,” Vikneswaran said.
Looking ahead, the coach emphasised the importance of utilising the upcoming two-day break effectively and cautioned his players against underestimating Bangladesh.
“The boys will have more time to prepare for the match against Bangladesh during the two-day break. We cannot afford to take them lightly, as it could affect our standings in the pool if we are not careful.
“The next two days must be used wisely for proper recovery, video analysis, and maintaining momentum. Mental health and focus are critical to achieving our objectives in this tournament. They need to re-energise and remain committed,” Vikneswaran added.
The JAC, which began on Tuesday in Muscat, Oman, runs until December 4 and doubles as the Junior World Cup qualifying event.
The top six Asian teams will secure spots in the JWC. — November 29, 2024