Razie’s absence a worry for Malaysia in Muscat

KUALA LUMPUR: The national men’s hockey team defence will be severely tested in the absence of key defender and penalty corner specialist Muhd Razie Abdul Rahim (pic) for the six-nation Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) in Muscat, Oman, from Oct 18-28.

Malaysia’s defence was a let down in the final of the Asian Games in Jakarta against Japan last month. Malaysia were leading 5-2 but they allowed Japan to crawl back to equalise 6-6 in the regulation time to force the penalty shoot-out, which Japan won 3-1.