Kavin is second Malaysian to feature in two Junior World Cups

KUALA LUMPUR: Defender G. Kavin Kartik is the second Malaysian player who will feature in two Junior World Cups.

The Tampin-born player had played in the Junior World Cup in Johor Baru in 2009 and will be featuring in the Junior World Cup in New Delhi from Dec 6.

Defender M. Devendran was the first Malaysian to have played in two Junior World Cups – in 1985 (Vancouver) and 1989 (Ipoh). Malaysia finished 10th in Vancouver and sixth in Ipoh.

The 21-year-old Kavin said it was a real honour for him to be the second Malaysian player to feature in two Junior World Cups.

“I will not only marshal the defence but also help to deliver goals from penalty corner set pieces. As the most experienced player in the team, the burden will be on me to give my best,” said Kavin, who was named man-of-the-match in the final of the Junior Asia Cup in Malacca last year.

Kavin started his hockey career with the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) when he was in Form One in 2005. BJSS were champions in 2008 and 2009 in the Malaysian Junior Hockey League.

Kavin said that their biggest challenge in the Junior World Cup in New Delhi will be to finish in the top six among the 16 teams that are divided into four groups.

Malaysia, who finished 12th among the 20 teams in the 2009 edition, are in Group D in New Delhi with New Zealand, England and South Africa.

Kavin, who is pursuing his pre-university studies in BJSS, said that their opening match against New Zealand, who finished fourth in the last Junior World Cup, would be the toughest.

“We should get the better of England and South Africa to reach the quarter-finals.

“We are likely to face either hosts India or Holland from Group C in the quarters,” said Kavin, who also hopes to win a place in the national senior team next year.

The other defenders in the national juniors team are Faiz Helmi Zali, Mohd Izad Hakimi Jamaluddin, Mohd Zulhairi Hashim and Mohd Nor Aqmal Abdul Ghaffar.