Firdaus to focus on scoring to secure spot in Asian Champs squad

KUALA LUMPUR: Striker Mohd Noor Firdaus Rosdi is feeling the pressure to earn a place in the Malaysian men’s team to the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The dates for the tournament in November has not been confirmed.

The Gua Musang-born player made his national debut in the four-nation tournament in Tokyo last August and despite failing to score goals he was still selected for the two Olympics qualifying matches against Britain in London last November.

And in both the matches, he also failed to find the net.

The 19-year-old Firdaus is among 34 players called up for national training in March.

Firdaus said he was given two opportunities by national chief coach Roelant Oltmans last year to win a regular place in the national team but he did not live up to expectations.

“I am disappointed with myself for firing blanks in the two Olympics qualifiers and this has put pressure on me to get into the team for Dhaka,” said Firdaus.

“Coach Roelant will name the best forwards for the tournament as this is the only assignment for the national team this year.

However, he has proven himself in the national junior team with his goal-scoring prowess.

He scored a goal against India in the final to help Malaysia win their first ever Youth Olympics Games gold medal in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2018.

Firdaus added that he would also face a strong challenge from the other 11 forwards, who are fighting for five places for Dhaka.

“I have to spend the next four months to improve every aspect of my game especially in sharpening my scoring ability.

“It will be the biggest challenge in my hockey career,” said Firdaus.