Cool it, Kumar’s back

Asiad-bound team boosted by goalkeeper’s return after suspension

KUALA LUMPUR: The return of goalkeeper S. Kumar after serving a six-month suspension is a boost to the national hockey team’s mission at the Indonesia Asian Games in August.

The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) are targeting to win the Asian Games gold medal for the first time and grab a prized ticket to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Only the winner at the Asian Games earns a spot at the Olympics. Malaysia last qualified and played at the Olympics in Sydney, Australia, in 2000.

MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said they hoped to bring a full strength team to the Asian Games.

“We did not have the best team for the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast recently as some of the key players were either injured or not available.

“Despite this, we managed to finish fifth.

“We have discussed our plans for the Asian Games, which is very important for us this year.

“We hope to manage things well so that the players will be free from injuries and we can have the best team to challenge for the gold medal,” said Subahan.

However, it is easier said than done as the national team under coach Stephen van Huizen will likely face stiff competition from the likes of India, Pakistan, South Korea and China.

India finished as the top-ranked Asian team at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. They lost 2-3 to New Zealand in the semi-finals and settled for fourth place after a 1-2 defeat by England in the playoff for the bronze medal.

“India have improved tremendously over the last two years and now ranked top in Asia.

“Pakistan are also aiming to do well at the Asian Games as they have a new coach Roelant Oltmans (from Holland).

“We will be touring Argentina to play six matches there and it will give me a good idea on the players’ form.

While welcoming the return of veteran goalkeeper Kumar after serving suspension, Stephen warned that he will not be given a free pass into the starting line-up.

“Kumar is experienced but he will still have to fight for a place in the Asian Games with the other goalkeepers ( Muhammad Hafizuddin Othman and Mohammad Hairi Abd Rahman).

“It’s good now we have three goalkeepers to choose from,” said Stephen.

Malaysia’s best ever performance in Asian Games hockey was taking silver after losing 0-2 to Pakistan in the final in the 2010 edition in Guangzhou, China.

At the last Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, Malaysia finished fourth after a 2-3 defeat by the hosts in the playoff for the bronze.