IPOH: For a change, Malaysia are aiming high.
Coach Paul Revington’s men are determined to win the Asia Cup and book a spot in next year’s hockey World Cup in style.
The Asia Cup, which begins here on Saturday and ends on Sept 1, acts as a qualifier for the 2014 Finals in The Hague, Holland.
There is no denying that Malaysia will face strong oppositions in the Asia Cup.
But the arrival of South African Revington has seen the team improve with each tournament.
For a team who have never made the final in the last eight editions, there is now a clear change in the players’ mindset.
Malaysia’s best achievement in the Asia Cup was a bronze medal effort in Chennai in 2007, when Sarjit Singh was the coach.
Are Malaysia ready to challenge the Asian powerhouses – Pakistan, South Korea and India?
Pakistan and South Korea have won the Asia Cup three times while India have won it twice.
What makes this Asia Cup even more intriguing is that either India or Pakistan, or both, will miss the World Cup for the first time since its inception in 1971.
South Korea have sealed a spot in the 2014 Finals while Malaysia have also made it, although they are still awaiting official confirmation.
Right now, India are in a better position than Pakistan to make the cut for the World Cup.
India will qualify if they win the title on Sept 1. They will still go through if South Korea or Malaysia win the title.
Pakistan, however, have no such safety net. It’s either win the Asia Cup or they can kiss their World Cup hopes goodbye.
With the World Cup slot more or less confirmed, Malaysia can go into the Asia Cup without any pressure. Add to that they will be playing at a familiar venue – the Azlan Shah Stadium.
Team manager George Koshy has told his men to remain focused on the task at hand – the Asia Cup – and not get distracted by their World Cup appearance.
“Yes, we are in the World Cup ... pending an official announcement which will be made either after Asia Cup final or the Oceania championships in November,” he said.
“We’ve set the team the target of winning the Asia Cup .. and that hasn’t changed. What has changed though is that there is no more pressure on them now that World Cup qualification has been secured.
“What we want the players to do is to go out there and perform ... and win the title. The other tournaments can wait.
“The team have shown a lot of potential and there is an air confidence running through the team. It’s more a question of their desire to be champions.”
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