Kumar’s presence a big boost for Negri

KUALA LUMPUR: Seasoned campaigner S. Kumar will be back to lead Negri Sembilan’s challenge in the Razak Cup hockey tournament, which will be held at Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh from Saturday.

The 38-year-old Tampin-born goalkeeper skipped the tournament last year with a hamstring injury.

Coach S. Chandran, who has been in charge of the Negri team for the last 10 years, admitted that Kumar’s presence would be a boost for the team.

“He is an experienced goalkeeper, who helped Malaysia finish fourth in the World Hockey League Semi-Finals in London (in June) and qualify for next year’s World Cup (in India),” said Chandran.

Negri will also have the services of national midfielder Mohd Marhan Mohd Jalil and former international K. Keevan Raj. Defender G. Kavin Kartik, who featured in the 2013 Junior World Cup in New Delhi, is also in the squad.

Negri will be fielding a mixed team of seniors and juniors.

Coach Chandran has also included four juniors – defender Mohd Ismady Alis, midfielder Luthfi Hasnizan and forwards Muhd Luqman Hakim Muhd Asri and Aiman Haqim Badrulhisaam. They will all feature in the Perak Sukma (Malaysia Games) in Ipoh next year.

Eight teams will feature in Division One of the Razak Cup tournament and Negri, who finished sixth last year, are in Group B with last year’s runners-up Police, Perak and Johor.

Defending champions Terengganu are in Group A with Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and Penang.

Chandran said that Negri have been set a semi-final target this time after the failing to reach the stage in the last two years.