Losing the final twice forces Tengku Ahmad to rethink future with team
STRIKER Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku u Abdul Jalil may consider his future with the men’s hockey team after losing the Asian Games final twice.
“It’s disappointing to be the second best for the second time. I’ll consider my position in the team,” said the 32-year-old Tengku Ahmad.
The team led by Tengku Ahmad blew a chance for an Asiad gold and Olympic Games ticket after they were beaten 3-1 by Japan in the penalty shootout after the final ended 6-6 at the Gelora Bung Karno Hockey Stadium on Saturday.
He was also in the team who lost to Pakistan in the final at the 2010 Guangzhou Asiad.
“Everyone gave what they were capable of to deliver the goods but it was not good eenough,” he said.
Meanwhile, skipper Sukri Talib said he would do his part to put his team back on track in the chase for an Olympic spot. “Winning and losing is part of the game. As an athlete, we need to bounce back although everyone in the team is affected by the loss,” said Sukri.
“I’ll talk to the players and find ways to lift their morale. We still have a mission next year – to qualify for the Olympic Games. It’s not over yet.
“We missed an easier passage to qualify for the Olympics via the Asian Games. We’ve to accept the defeat and move on.
“We will fight harder in the other qualifiers to make it to the Olympics. I’ll play for the team as long as I’m needed.”