Subahan wants boys to continue winning streak in S. Africa

Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal (left) and Tayyab Ikram (centre)

PETALING JAYA: Keep the momentum going, boys.

The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal wants the national hockey team to continue with their sizzling form in the Nations Cup from Nov 28-Dec 4 in South Africa after lifting the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup for the first time on Thursday.

The Speedy Tigers led by A. Arulselvaraj defeated South Korea 3-2 in the final in Ipoh.

In a more challenging Nations Cup, Malaysia have been drawn in Group B with Japan, Canada and South Korea. They will play against the Koreans in their opening match.

“We’ve not set any target but we want them to continue this form,” said Subahan after a meeting with newly elected International Hockey Federation (FIH) president Datuk Tayyab Ikram yesterday.

“We still have a lot of work to do ahead of the Nations Cup and other major events.”

Malaysia have qualified for the World Cup in India next year. They will also compete in the Asian Games in Hangzhou and will be hoping to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Malaysia last played in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

“We want to raise the level of play and do respectably well in the World Cup, Asian Games and eventually the Olympics,” added Subahan, who indicated that the team would be given some form of incentive for the recent success.