Counting on the Walsh factor
MALAYSIAN Hockey Confederation (MHC) Technical Director Terry Walsh has a sharp eye for detail, and it might just help the nation reach their first Asia Cup final since 1982.
Sitting at the Maulana Bhasani Stadium, watching India, Pakistan and South Korea play in the Asia Cup round robin, Walsh feels this is Malaysia’s best chance to become the best in Asia.
“Other than the India match, Malaysia have been playing better hockey than the rest in this tournament and I believe this is our best chance to excel.
“We have the composure to beat Korea, provided we remain calm and focused on the task,” said Walsh.
However, his main grouse is penalty corners.
“If a team win more than 10 penalty corners in a game but score only one, it becomes really difficult to win the match. We need to maximise our penalty corners (today),” said Walsh.
Faizal Shaari is the tournament’s joint top-scorer on six goals with Harmanpreet Singh of India. He scored four field and two penalty corner goals.
Razie Rahim, usually reliable in penalty corners, has only scored two while Shahril Saabah and Najmi Jazlan one each.
Walsh feels that the experience gained from this tournament should be utilised to play even better in the Asian Games in Jakarta next year.
“First the Asia Cup, followed by the Asian Games is the progress we need now. Only then can we start looking at giving European teams a fight in the World Cup.”
The Asian Games gold medallists qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, a level Malaysia last played at, in Sydney 2000.