Malaysia Target Semi-Finals In Inaugural U-18 Asia Cup

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) is targeting the national men's under-18 (U-18) team to reach the semi-finals in the inaugural U-18 Asia Cup championships to be held in China from July 3 to 13.

National junior team head coach Nor Saiful Zaini Nasiruddin said the target is based on the strength of the teams drawn alongside Malaysia in Group B.

He added that the U-18 squad’s coaches and players have a strong reputation in this age category.

“If we look at Group B, we have Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan and Chinese Taipei. I think finishing first or second is very achievable.

“So we will qualify for the semi-finals. If we become group champions, we might even make it to the final,” he told an MHC press conference here today.

Nor Saiful Zaini also said the tournament will serve as a platform to expand the national player pool in preparation for the Junior World Cup in India at the end of this year.

“All the players in this U-18 squad are not part of my current junior team. So with their inclusion, we will have a bigger pool of players,” he said.

At the U-18 Asia Cup, Malaysia will kick off their campaign against Kazakhstan on July 3, followed by matches against Indonesia (July 4), Chinese Taipei (July 6), Japan (July 7) and Uzbekistan (July 9) in the final Group B fixture.

Only the top two teams in each group will advance to the semi-finals.

-- BERNAMA