Taking a big wrist
Syed Syafiq back in national squad after returning from injury
I have a big role to play. I have to man the defence and also deliver the goals. I’m up for it, there’s no pressure. Syed Mohd Syafiq Syed Cholan
KUALA LUMPUR: Syed Mohd Syafiq Syed Cholan can thank his lucky stars for his inclusion in the national hockey team.
The 24-year-old, who underwent wrist surgery on March 8, only had two weeks of training before he was called up for the FIH Series Finals at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil from April 26-May 4.
He picked up the injury during the World Cup in India last December.
He returned and played for Tenaga Nasional in the Malaysia Hockey League until the injury got worse.
Apart from beefing up the defence, Syed Syafiq has been tasked with getting the goals from penalty corners.
He is the third drag flicker in the squad along with Muhd Razie Abdul Rahim and Faizal Saari.
Syed Syafiq, who made his debut in a four-nation tournament in Melbourne in 2016, said that he is physically and mentally ready despite the short training stint.
“I have a big role to play. I have to man the defence and also deliver the goals. I’m up for it, there’s no pressure,” said Syed Syafiq, who has represented Malaysia 65 times since 2016.
“We have the strongest set of players for the tournament.
“Our defence especially will be tighter with the presence of experienced players like Razie, captain Muhd Sukri (Abdul Mutalib), Najmi (Farizal Jazlan) and Faiz Helmi Jali.
“I’m confident Malaysia will do well. We must win the tournament as qualification for next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games starts here,” added Syed Syafiq.
Eight teams will feature in the tournament and Malaysia, ranked 13th in the world, will open their Group B campaign against Brazil on April 26.
Malaysia’s other matches are against China on April 28 and they wrap up their fixtures against Italy on April 29.
Group A comprises Austria, Belarus, Canada and Wales.
The group winners will enter the semi-finals while the second and third-placed teams will play a cross-over match to qualify for the last four.