NOT IN THE SAME CLASS
Brazil are simply no match for Malaysia, says Nor Saiful
FORMER international Nor Saiful Zaini feels Brazil are no match for Malaysia after his Under21 charges hammered the South Americans 5-1 in a friendly last weekend.
Brazil will open accounts against hosts Malaysia in the FIH
Series Finals on Friday, and nothing but a win is expected from Roelant Oltmans’ men.
Brazil also lost 3-2 to a makeshift UiTM side prior to the defeat to the national junior team.
“Discounting jet-lag and weather, I feel Brazil who played against our juniors are not ready for an international tournament.
“Malaysia should have it easy against them in the opening match (Friday),” said Nor Saiful yesterday.
Malaysia are in Group B of the pre-Olympic qualifier. They will also take on China on Sunday and Italy on the following day.
Canada, Austria, Wales and Belarus make up Group A.
The top two teams in each group will qualify for the semifinals, while the second and third placed teams in each group will be involved in playoff matches for the other two slots.
“Brazil players are well-built while some are skilful. However, as a team, they are still raw as compared to Malaysia.
“So, I predict a good win for Malaysia in the opening match,” said Nor Saiful.
On Friday, Malaysia are expected to get their goals from penalty corners through Razie Rahim and Faizal Saari as Brazil have a weak defence.
“Although it was just a friendly and that they may have not played hard against my Under-21 side, I noticed they did not have a powerful flicker. They are also not good in defending penalty corners.
“However, Malaysia need to respect their opponents and not be overconfident. Just play our normal style, and three points should not be a problem,” advised the Olympian.
Brazil finished last in the 2016 Olympics in Rio, losing to Belgium (12-0), Spain (7-0), Australia (9-0) New Zealand (9-0) and Britain (9-1) in their group matches.
They scored only once and conceded 46 goals in five matches.