Be prepared, Austria plays a different style, warns Roelant
KUALA LUMPUR: National hockey team head coach, Roelant Oltmans yesterday warned his charges to be prepared to face the 2018 Indoor World Cup winners, Austria, who is playing different style of hockey, in the semi-finals of the FIH Men’s Series Finals at the National Hockey Stadium tonight (May 3).
The Dutchman said, Austria, ranked 19th in the world, would continue their defensive play after conceding only two goals in three matches so far, which means the Malaysian Tigers need to find ways to crack the defensive walls.
“The semi-final will be against a defensive team, they play a little bit of different style, different system than most of the teams. The boys are not aware and I need to explain to them.
“Austria is a good defensive team, no doubt, they shown that in this tournament, did not concede too many goals, only two goals against Canada, none against Wales and Belarus…This is clear they have a good defense, but we must be able to find the gaps, that is what we are aiming for,” he said.
Malaysia advanced to the semi-finals after defeating Wales 2-1 in the playoff match yesterday, while Austria earned the automatic slot to the last four after topping Pool A.
Roelant also played down the dispute between two players on the bench during the 2-4 defeat to the lowest ranked team in the tournament, Italy in the last Pool B match Monday.
“That is like a five seconds, immediately settled, nothing serious. It was a simple, difference in opinion and they push each other…Ok, after that they said stop this nonsense and play hockey,” he said.
Meanwhile, veteran player Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abdul Jalil, who scored the opening goal against Wales last night, urged his teammates not to waste chances at goal against Austria.
“All the matches were difficult, it will not be easy to play against Austria in the semi-finals
as they have very strong foundation for both indoor or field hockey.
“We have to be careful when they penetrate in the D, there should a stronger defence line while being opportunistic to score,” he said.