National call-up for nine hockey players
Nine state hockey players have been shortlisted to attend an 11-week training camp in Kuala Lumpur as the final selection phase in preparation of the national men’s senior squad.
KOTA KINABALU: Nine state hockey players have been shortlisted to attend national training camp and selection for senior squad.
Adrian Andy Albert and Shello Silverius have been called up to undergo training for the national men's senior squad in Kuala Lumpur from October 5 to December 19.
The 11-week training is also the final selection phase in preparation of the national squad under national hockey team's head coach Arul Selvaraj, to face the Asian Champions Trophy Championship, which is scheduled to take place in Dhaka, Bangladesh on March 11 to 19, 2021.
Adrian is Sabah's hockey main goalkeeper while Shello (midfielder) was responsible for the goal that took Sabah to the quarterfinals in the Tun Abdul Razak (TNB) Championship Cun 2020.
Adrian and Shello will have to compete with 36 other players to have a place in Arul's squad of 25 players.
Meanwhile, Sabah head coach Hasrul Jideh said both Adrian and Shello had played for the national squad but due to their outstanding performance in the Tun Abdul Razak Cup, their names had been listed for the training camp.
“Hopefully they will get a place in the final squad.
“Arul prioritizes creative players including being able to play in many positions like European players.
“Arul had stayed abroad and he understands European style of play...so that will be his emphasis,” said Hasrul.
Meanwhile, four state players have been chosen for the national men's selection for special training squad.
They are Muhammad Saifuddin Ali (defender), Nasrul Syahkhir Sadikul (centre), Granson Noel Goden (centre) and Muhajir Abdu Rauf (striker).
They are among the 26 players shortlisted by coach Wallace Tan to undergo training from October 5, 2020 to January 20, 2021.
The selection exercise is in preparation for the Asian Youth Cup Championship in Dhaka Bangladesh on 21-30 January 2021.
The National Women's Special Project Squad will also see three Sabah players among the 30 players shortlisted to undergo central training on October 5 to December 18.
They are Juliani Mohamad Din, Nor Asfarina Ishayfiqa and Iren Husin.
All three defenders have been listed by coach Nasihin Nubli Ibrahim.
The training for the women's squad is in preparation for the Asian Champions (Women) Trophy Championship in Donghae, South Korea which is scheduled to take place from March 31 to April 6, 2021.