10 ‘critical days’ for Van Huizen’s team

coach Stephen van Huizen has about 10 “critical days” to rectify the weaknesses that were exposed in the team during the recent Australia Tour.

The tour turned out to be a disappointment for the Malaysian team as they drew one match, 2-2, and lost the other four matches, 6-1, 3-2, 4-2 and 30.

And if the tour's results are anything to go by, Malaysia are expected to face a torrid time in the knockout stage in the Asiad in Jakarta where they hope to win their maiden gold and qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

At the Games, Malaysia are in Group B with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Oman, Thailand and Indonesia.

Van Huizen's men should have no problems reaching the semifinals, where they are expected to meet either India, South Korea or Japan, and this could be their biggest test.

"We have about 10 more days and I believe it's enough time for us to become sharper in every department.

"The focus right now is to play inside both the semi-circles. We are working to be sharper in attack, and more alert when defending in our own semi-circle.

"We also need to tuck in the majority of penalty corners that come our way.

"It is no use to be sharp in all the other areas of the field, but blunt inside the opponents’ semi-circle.”

According to van Huizen, the results in Perth do not indicate the true strength of his players.

"I believe they will be much better in Jakarta, and their display in Perth should not be turned into a yardstick," said van Huizen.