Perth: The national men's hockey team, known as the Speedy Tigers, will engage in a series of high-intensity warm-up matches in Perth, Australia, as they gear up for the upcoming FIH Nations Cup in Malaysia this June. The tour aims to provide the team with crucial game experience against top-tier competition.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, national men's hockey head coach Sarjit Singh emphasized the significance of these friendly matches, highlighting the opportunity for the players to demonstrate their skills against a formidable opponent like Australia. "This tour must be utilised fully by the selected players. With the high intensity of the matches and the opportunity to face a top-quality team like Australia, this is the best chance for them to showcase their abilities," Sarjit stated in a release from the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC).
The Speedy Tigers will commence their tour against Western Australia on April 23 and 24, followed by matches against the Australian national team on April 28, 29, and May 1 and 2, held at Curtin University Hockey Stadium in Perth. The primary objective of the tour, as highlighted by Sarjit, is to evaluate tactical execution, team cohesion, and the players' ability to handle pressure in fast-paced scenarios.
Sarjit also mentioned the importance of assessing the players' decision-making abilities in both offensive and defensive plays while experimenting with different strategies and team combinations. "It's also a chance for us to finalise our best squad, assess fitness levels, and reinforce the tactical structure we want to carry into the Nations Cup," he added.
Beyond the Nations Cup, the Speedy Tigers are preparing for several major tournaments throughout the year, including the Asian Cup in India from August 27 to September 7, the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup from November 22 to 29, and the SEA Games in Thailand from December 9 to 20. These events provide further opportunities for the team to secure an automatic slot to the World Cup.
The squad for the Australian tour consists of 22 players, selected after a training camp that started on March 3 with 30 participants.
The Speedy Tigers team for the Tour of Australia includes:
1. Muhammad Hafizuddin Bin Othman
2. Mohammad Rafaizul Bin Mohamad Saini
3. Muhammad Marhan Bin Jalil
4. Syed Mohammad Syafiq Bin Syed Cholan
5. Muhammad Amirul Hamizan Bin Azahar
6. Faiz Helmi Bin Jali
7. Muhamad Faris Bin Harizan
8. Andywalfian Jeffrynus
9. Muhammad Najmi Farizal Bin Jazlan
10. Syarman Bin Mat Tee
11. Mohd Fitri Bin Saari
12. Nik Muhammad Aiman Bin Nik Rozemi
13. Mughni Bin Mohamad Kamal
14. Muhammad Adam Ashraf Bin Mohd Johari
15. Muhammad Shafiq Bin Hassan
16. Alfarico Lance Liau Jr
17. Shello Silverius
18. Muhammad Azrai Aizad Bin Abu Kamal
19. Norsyafiq Bin Sumantri
20. Mohammad Harris Iskandar Bin Osman
21. Mohamad Akhimullah Bin Anuar Esook
22. Muhajir Bin Abdu Rauf