My article on Saturday: Malaysian hockey team - Considered "no hopers" make it to World Cup qualifier's final, i stated that in the hour of need the players have to be aware that the nation is standing with them and therefore they must give more than their best for the final. On Sunday, Malaysia took on New Zealand to decide who shall make to the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi.
Those who were watching the direct telecast of the match must have been surprised that Malaysia took an early lead and were able to sustain that lead to half time. Although surprise the sense of joy and jubilant could not be hidden notwithstanding the fact that this team was categorised as "no hopers". As the match progressed the tag of "no hopers" was obliterated from most of our minds. The Malaysian team seem to be serious and were actually trying their best. They may not be very skillful nor highly tactical but they had the "mati mati" spirit of wanting to succeed.
Although most played in the Test matches with Australia but the way the team played in the final seem to reflect that they had a new "zest" of life. It cannot be the cold weather or the Kiwi food, rather i believe it must be the sheer determination of the players wanting to win. The coaches and the team management must be congratulated in transforming the team in such a short spell.
As the game progressed we seem to be missing our penalty corners especially as we had 3 in a stretch. Something we have to look into for the future. Up to 81% of the game we had been leading New Zealand with the solitary goal and in a deadly 3 minutes the Kiwis netted 2 goals off penalty corners. This seem to have taken off the "air" from our boys as their fight back seem to have lost the character they had in the first 81% of the game.
At the final whistle Malaysia was defeated 2-1 by New Zealand. Obviously the players must be sad but they can walk with their heads high up. As "no hopers" they were 13 minutes away from making it into the World Cup. That is how close they came to achieve a dream that has been eluding Malaysian hockey. Some dignity and pride has been restored but the key question is: "Would we be as consistent or better in our future performances". Something that MHF has to look into immediately.
For the moment lets praise our players for their good performance and the coaches plus team management for preparing the team for this tournament. What is important is that we must built on the momentum we have gathered in New Zealand rather than allowing it to fizzle out. Maybe the failure to qualify for the World Cup is a "stepping stone" for future success.
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Yes, we must move up or else others will do so and we will again ask ourselves where did we go wrong
The team must undergo a change- disbanded and reunite and reform.
We cannot bank on the same players again. We will be stagnant if we do so.
The winds of change must occur just after the MHL for a new lease of air for the team in their preparation for the road to London 2012 or even earlier- the Asian Games
We must have new players to groom them and tap into their talents. We can make it if we think logically
I would only suggest that we stop the full time training concept.
Let the players venture outside and play club hockey in Europe. Assist them if they cannot get a foreign club.
The states must do their part as well in restucturing their leagues. Finger pointing to MHF alone does not help. With domestic leagues, there will be clubs hence some hockey activities for the players while in the same time they can pursue their studies or careers. No need for every top players to centralise in KL.
It's about to produce more quality in our talent. Players with a more balanced life and mentally stronger.
SYABAS MALAYSIA. KITA KALAH DENGAN MARUAH YANG TINGGI.MASA DEPAN HOKI NEGARA CERAH LAGI.
JANGAN SALAHKAN SESIAPA KERANA PIHAK PHM MASIH SEDANG MEMBERSIHKAN BANGKAI YANG TELAH TINGGALKAN OLEH PENTADBIR SERTA JURULATIH ( 10/2) DULU. PEMAIN BARU PERLU DIRESAPKAN. SYABAS JUGA KEPADA PASUKAN 2013 YANG TELAH MENGKALAHKAN PASUKAN INDIA 3-2 DAN MEMASUKI SEPARUH AKHIR DI MYANMAR. SURATKHABAR TEMPATAN TIDAK AKAN BAGI BERITA INI KERANA SEMUA KRONI 10/2.
Cinta Hoki
Firstly Well done.
Fact is at the end of the day we did not make it to the World Cup. Yes we did well we came close but the harsh reality is we did not make it.
What happens for this point moving forward is VERY crucial. We have to plan short term goals and long term goals as the Olympic Qualifier is next and other Major Tournament.
Everyone will now try to claim credit for this, thats normal. Let them be, because we know who are the people who worked.
Give them the support to move forward
Good effort by national players at Invercargill. Their die-die performance really look different from what they show during friendlies with Aussies in KL before the tournament. Well done guys!
Whatever the word may describe, the result is there. Target set for the coach not being achieved. MHF should look forward.
Like what HRH TM said, 'WE MUST BASED ON MERIT, NOT SENTIMENTS'.
Thats the way HRH TM! Thanks a lot for that thinking. Really good for the Malaysian Hockey sake. Put all the political interest aside.
But will others (especially MHF Members + MSN)seriously implement that?
Then, why don't MHF look closely to our Project 2013 Coach as he did quite a good job so far. Why don't promote him to become the senior team coach if no Foreign Coach interested or brave enough to taste our Hockey Culture? He got all the merits if compared with others.
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