Counting on our veteran
Kumar aims to go all out to help Malaysia win Asiad gold
KUALA LUMPUR: Goalkeeper S. Kumar (pic), regarded as one of the best hockey goalkeepers in the world, wants to help Malaysia win the elusive Asian Games gold medal in Jakarta.
The Tampin-born player played a pivotal role in the World League Semi-Finals in London in June last year to help Malaysia finish a creditable fourth place and also to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India, from Nov 28-Dec 16.
The 38-year-old was named the best goalkeeper in the tournament for making a number of excellent saves.
For Malaysia, winning the gold medal will earn them an automatic berth for the 2020 Olympics.
Malaysia have not featured in the Olympics since in 2000 in Sydney.
The 38-year-old Kumar said that this would be his fifth and last Asian Games.
“We came very close to win the gold in Guangzhou eight years ago but eventually lost to Pakistan in the final.
“We want to go one better and create history by winning the gold and qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“We have not featured in Olympics for the past 18 years,” said Kumar, who has represented Malaysia 299 times since 1999.
For the Asian Games, Malaysia are drawn in Group B with Pakistan, Oman, Bangladesh, Thailand and Indonesia while Group A comprises defending champions India, South Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong.
“We can expect a torrid time in the group matches.
“We need to finish top two in our group to qualify for the semi-finals.
“Our toughest challenge will be in the semi-finals as we will face either Asia Cup champions India or the speedy South Koreans for a place in the final.
“I hope my teammates can play well like they did in the World League Semi-Finals in London last year to defy the odds and win the gold medal.
“It will be tough but not impossible,” said Kumar, who was named the best goalkeeper in the 2009 Asia Cup in Kuantan and the following year he was also named the best goalkeeper at the Guangzhou Asian Games.
Kumar was the first Malaysian player to be named the best Asian player in 2011 and was also drafted into the Asian All-Star team in 2011 for his efforts at the Guangzhou Asian Games.